§ Mr. COVEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the serious shortage of houses in the parish of Irchester, in the Parliamentary Division of Wellingborough, and that families of eight persons have to live in two-roomed houses; whether he is satisfied that such dwellings are in a satisfactory sanitary condition; and whether, seeing that the Ministry of Health prevented the rural district council proceeding with the building of houses in December, 1921, after sites had been secured and plans approved, and in view of the failure of private enterprise to erect the necessary houses, he will now enable the rural district council to proceed immediately with the erection of houses?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYRepresentations as to the need for houses in Irchester were made by the Wellingborough Rural District Council in connection with their proposals for assisting the provision of working class houses by private enterprise. These proposals have been approved by my Department. If the council are of opinion that the housing need of their district is not likely to be met by private enterprise I shall be prepared to entertain an application for the erection of houses by the council.