asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, seeing that the official returns made by local authorities in 1919, after taking a survey of their housing needs as provided by the Housing Act of 1919, over 800,000 houses were then required to remove existing overcrowding, and that only about 200,000 houses have yet been built, he will state what steps the Government proposes to take to remedy the continued existence of overcrowding?

My right hon. Friend can only say that the whole question of future housing policy is receiving his careful consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that consideration will lead to any definite conclusion before the House rises, so that, if legislation is necessary, it can be taken before the Adjournment?

I can give no answer on that point. I might suggest to my hon. Friend the possibility of putting down a question again.