§ Mr. EVAN DAVIESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Ebbw Vale Urban District Council have been compelled to abandon the erection of 1,000 houses owing to the shortage of labour and material; that the Ebbw Vale Company have come forward and offered to erect the 1,000 houses without profit, also constructing roads and laying sewers out of their private funds, if 1,000 workmen will undertake the purchase of such houses on the basis of repayment of principal and interest in 20 years; and will he, under those conditions, consider the advisability of increasing the subsidy from £260 to £400 to encourage the workmen to take up this scheme of the company?
§ Dr. ADDISONA proposal for the erection of 1,000 houses by the Ebbw Vale Company has been discussed, but I understand that the company are not now prepared to consider the erection of more than 300 houses, and that they have not finally decided to adopt even this reduced scheme. I am unable to adopt the suggestion in regard to an increase in the amount of the Government subsidy.