§ Mr. W. SMITHasked the Minister of Health whether the Isle of Wight rural district council have decided that 320 new houses are needed in that area and the medical officer of health added 80 to that figure; whether his Department are holding up the construction of these houses; and, if so, will he take steps to withdraw any restriction and give facilities for the work to be proceeded with?
§ Dr. ADDISONThis local authority originally estimated that 314 new houses were required in their district, but subsequently they reduced this estimate very considerably, to 91 houses. My Department have made every effort to expedite the Council's housing scheme and so long ago as last September made arrangements whereby the Council could take up a loan to finance their scheme. The Council would not accept this offer, but I understand that they have now done so and that they have undertaken to proceed with the erection of 48 houses as an instalment of their scheme.