§ Mr. S. MITCHELLasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the percentage of married men engaged in rural industries, both above and below ground, is lower in this country than in many foreign countries owing to the house shortage; and whether, in view of the fact that rural communities are less able to assist in the housing problem than the cities, he will consider the question of increasing the grant for houses erected in rural areas?
§ Mr. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAINI am fully alive to the importance of the rural housing problem and I am giving the matter my close attention. I may, perhaps, draw my hon. Friend's attention to the fact that the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, provided that in agricultural parishes a special Exchequer grant of £3 10s. a year a house for 40 years should be available in addition to the ordinary subsidy of £9 a year for 40 years. Advantage is beginning to be taken of this provision and it will probably be increasingly used if new and cheaper methods of building are developed. I cannot at present promise further legislation on this subject.