§ Lieut.-Colonel HILDERasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Government subsidy of £250 to individuals building houses of a certain type is being abused and is not serving its intended purpose of reducing the accommodation shortage, and that persons are building houses and drawing the subsidy and then holding the houses for sale at high prices, refusing to let them even at reproductive rentals; and can he devise some means by which those builders who have drawn the subsidy may be compelled to make available for occupation the houses built with the help of the subsidy?
§ Sir A. MONDI have received a few complaints that builders under the subsidy scheme have refused to let houses as suggested, but I have no evidence that the practice has been in any way extensive, and I would point out that the78W present falling prices are unfavourable to its adoption. With regard to the last part of the question, I doubt whether it would be practicable to impose conditions as to the letting of these houses which would not have the effect of discouraging building under the scheme, but if the hon. and gallant Member has any suggestion to make, I will consider it.