asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has received complaints respecting the rents fixed by his Department for houses in Bellshill and Cambuslang; whether these rents are from £8 to £10 more than is charged for houses of a similar kind in these districts; whether one ward committee has refused to let the houses as a protest against the rents asked; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The houses in question form part of a scheme of 350 houses erected by the Ministry of Munitions under an arrangement that they will be taken over after the War by the local authorities. The rents fixed are higher than the rents of houses in the district of a similar type built before the War, but the increase only partially covers the increase in cost of building. The rents have been fixed to obtain an economic return on 70 per cent. of the total cost of the houses, 30 per cent. of the cost being written off as being due to special war conditions. The Ministry have agreed to undertake the management of the houses.

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to reply to the question whether it is true that one of the committees refused to let the houses?

It is a fact that there was some difficulty with one of the committees, and that is why the Ministry has undertaken to manage the houses.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether any inquiry is being made as to whether it is economically possible for the tenants to pay these high rents?

I myself had negotiations with the local authorities, and these arrangements have been come to in consequence.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that Messrs. Elliotts, a firm of moulders and joiners, at Newbury, Berks, have dismissed several girls because of their membership of a trade union, and that, prior to reinstating these girls, this firm has made the girls sign a paper stating they were not, and would not become, members of a trade union; whether he is aware that the firm is controlled by his Department and that the action complained of is illegal; and whether he will make inquiry into this matter, with a view to its prompt treatment?

I have not completed the inquiries into this case, and shall be glad if my hon. Friend will repeat his question on Thursday.