§ Mr. MALONEasked the Minister of Health if he has any information of the shortage of houses at Northumberland and the numbers under construction; if his Department is aware of the reasons for the shortage and the cessation of new building; and if his Department is taking any steps to accelerate the provision of adequate housing accommodation in Northampton?
§ Miss LAWRENCEMy right hon. Friend has not received any recent report as to the housing position at Northampton, to which town, it is presumed, my hon. Friend refers. Forty houses were being constructed by the town council on the 1st June and 180 houses in all were completed by the council and by private enterprise during the six months ended 31st March last. The council are also proposing to acquire a new site of 13 acres. My right hon. Friend is not aware that the position is one calling for intervention on his part, and he would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the provisions contained in Clause 22 981W of the Housing (No. 2) Bill for requiring the council periodically to review the housing situation and submit a programme.