§ Mr. T. GRIFFITHSasked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to close down at the end of March the office of the Housing Commissioner for Wales and Monmouthshire; and, if so, in view of the continued necessity for the service of the office in connection with Welsh housing generally and also the large amount of new work with reference to the town-planning of areas in Wales which will devolve on the Ministry of Health under the Housing and Town Planning Act of 1919, he will reconsider the matter?
§ Sir A. MONDAs part of the general policy of reducing expenditure on housing staff, it is proposed to discontinue the separate Regional Organisations from the 31st March. The Regional Offices have already been reduced from 11 to 4, and the Welsh office is among the last to be closed. These Regional Offices did valuable work during a very difficult period, but in present circumstances I am satisfied that they are unnecessary and that the additional expenditure which they involve cannot be justified.
§ Mr. CHARLES EDWARDSasked the Minister of Health whether the office of the Housing Commissioner of Wales and Monmouthshire, which is attached to the Welsh Board of Health at Cardiff, is to be closed at the end of March next; whether he is aware that much time and money has been saved through representatives of local authorities and others interested in housing dealing with the Cardiff office instead of London; whether, since work has still to be done under the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1919, he will, until that is complete, and the position of housing generally improved, 66W reconsider his decision; and whether he will receive a deputation from the Welsh Housing and Development Association before any steps are taken to close this office?
§ Sir A. MONDI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to the hon. Member for the Pontypool Division of Monmouthshire (Mr. T. Griffiths).