§ Mr. MUFFasked the Minister of Health whether he will supply a list of county boroughs in England and Wales scheduled as distressed areas; a similar list scheduled in September, 1931; and also the information upon what lines of definition does the Department define a distressed county borough authority?
§ Sir K. WOODI am not aware that any definition of a distressed area has been framed. Certain areas have been declared by Parliament to be special areas in the Special Areas (Development and Improvement) Act, 1934. These areas included seven county boroughs namely, Gateshead, Merthyr Tydfil, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, South Shields, Sunderland, Tynemouth and West Hartlepool. No such legislation was in force in 1931.
§ Mr. HICKSasked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of houses built to be let during the first six months of the year with a rent of 10s. a week or under?
§ Sir K. WOODI regret that there are no statistics available which would enable me to give a precise reply to the hon. Member's question. The best figures available are given in the Statistical Housing Return recently issued, of which I am sending him a copy.