asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the total number of houses completed under the various housing schemes of the last Parliament, the number of such houses in course of construction, and the number still to be sanctioned?

145,771 houses had been completed by local authorities and public utility societies on the 1st November and 39,145 houses had been completed at that date by private builders under the. Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, making a total of 184,916 houses completed. In addition 3,056 dwellings have been provided by the conversion of huts and hostels. 30,229 houses remain to be completed, and of these 18,347 were in course, of construction on 1st November by local authorities and public utility societies.

In view of the inadequate, number of houses which the Ministry has sanctioned to complete the shortage reported, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the adjournment to-night.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, how many municipal authorities have put forward applications for housing subsidies since the House adjourned in August; and what action his Department has taken in each case?

During the period referred to applications have, been received from some 170 local authorities. These applications have been reviewed in relation to the urgency of the need, special consideration being given to the populous urban centres where skilled labour is available and to the number of houses already authorised or in hand; and in 52 cases local authorities have been authorised to proceed with further houses within the limits laid down for the assisted scheme. Some 20 other authorities have decided to build without subsidy since the date mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether the whole of the subsidies under the original housing scheme have now been allocated; what is the number of houses completed under that scheme; whether there is any avoidable delay in completion; what is the lowest tender received for subsidised construction; and whether the level of economic building has now been reached?

Of the 176,000 houses, to which the scheme was limited, 175,400 have been definitely allocated and 546 provisionally allocated. In addition, 39,145 houses have been provided with the aid of the private builders' subsidy. On 1st November last, 145,771 houses had been completed, and I am not aware at the present time of any general avoidable delay in the completion of houses for which contracts have been let. The lowest price for a house, complete with drains, paths, fences and gas and hot water installation, is £297 10s. On the information before me, there is no reason to believe that the cost of building will not continue to fall.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether ho can see his way to hand over to local authorities sites required for housing purposes in order to stimulate the building trade, to decrease unemployment, and supply the need for houses?

Local authorities have in several cases taken over land acquired under the assisted housing scheme for building purposes at the present market value, and such land has also been disposed of on similar terms to private persons undertaking building. My right hon. Friend is anxious to encourage such arrangements as far as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he intends to take any steps, either through the local authorities, building societies, or otherwise, to encourage private enterprise in the building trade so as to facilitate the purchase of houses for their own use by private individuals?

This question is being considered with the general question of housing policy.

Will consideration be given to any applications made to the Minister by working men's building guilds?

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he intends to adopt proposals for the further provision of houses by local authorities, with a fixed annual grant to cover part of the loss of rent, in accordance with the scheme framed by his predecessor in office?

The proposal to which the right hon. Member refers will be fully considered by the Government in their review of the whole question of housing policy.

Could the House have the advantage of the information withheld from this side of the House by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Swansea (Sir A. Mond) when he sat on the Treasury Bench, in spite of all our efforts to extract that information from him?

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, if there are any boards of guardians who have since the adjournment of this House in August been refused overdrafts by the banks; and what has happened in each of these cases?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any cases of this kind since the adjournment of the House in August.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether any computation has been made as to the financial loss suffered by the Metropolis, in addition to the effect on the health of its citizens, by the series of fogs during the last fortnight; and what steps it is proposed to take to mitigate this evil?

I do not think it is practicable to form any accurate estimate of the financial loss caused by the recent fogs. In reply to the latter part of the question, I will consider the introduction of a Smoke Abatement Bill next Session.

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, (1) whether, having regard to the present system of administering the Health Insurance Acts, he will now cause a judicial committee of inquiry to be set up to inquire into the whole administration of the Acts, particularly with reference to the panel system:

(2) whether, having regard to the present working of the National Health Insurance Acts, resulting in numerous complaints, and the desirability of securing more adequate benefit and greater facility of administration, an exhaustive inquiry will be made into the whole subject by a competent body with the object of obtaining such recommendations as will confer the greatest benefit upon those for whom the scheme has been designed?

The question to which the hon. Member refers will receive the consideration of my right hon. Friend.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise the amount of discontent existing in the country, and will he press the matter forward quickly?

I quite realise the facts.