asked the Prime Minister what facilities he proposes now to afford for slum-clearance legislation affecting Scotland?

The present intention is that the proposed slum-clearance legislation affecting England and Scotland should, if possible, be dealt with in the same Bill.

When will the text of the Bill be available, inasmuch as the Chancellor of the Duchy stated that the draft was ready?

I do not know that anything can be added to the statement made a few days ago.

Surely this is a very important matter. The House wants to see the Government's proposals. Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us some idea when we can see them?

The Government, unlike the previous Government, realises that this is a very important matter, and I can assure the House that no unnecessary delay will be incurred.

Why were we told at election time that all these plans were matured?

asked the Minister of Health when he anticipates that the Government's projected Bill as to slums will be passed into law; and whether meanwhile he is refusing to consider and approve housing schemes submitted by local authorities?

I regret that I cannot at present add anything to the statement made on Tuesday by the Prime Minister on the subject of the first part of this question. As regards the second part, no schemes for providing new houses are being delayed in my Department by the expectation of the new Bill; but in the case of slum-clearance schemes I have in some instances suggested that in view of certain difficulties which have arisen it would he better to await the proposals which I hope shortly to submit to this House.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication of the delay which will be involved in view of the hardship that will be incurred by the working population?

It is very difficult to calculate that, but in so far as there is any delay in slum-clearance schemes, it has arisen out of the decision of the Court, which must be put right by this House.

Is not the present position this, that slum-clearance schemes have been stopped and housing progress decreased during the last few months?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the introduction of declaratory legislation to overcome, in a short space of time, the difficulties to which he has referred?

I think that it is much more preferable to deal with it in a general Bill.

asked the Minister of Health when the House may expect a declaration of policy on housing?

I regret that I cannot at present add anything to the statement made on Tuesday by the Prime Minister on this subject.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any policy at all on housing?

asked the Minister of Health whether he can now declare his policy for an improvement of rural housing conditions?

I would suggest that the hon. Member should await the proposals for legislation which I hope shortly to be able to submit to the House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take any steps to expedite legislation now in force?

Most certainly. I have done everything I can to expedite the matter.

Do we understand that there is going to be a separate Rural Housing Bill, or is the right hon. Gentleman going to deal with little bits of rural housing in his slum clearance scheme?

I am interested in this interest which has been shown. I must ask hon. Members to wait and see.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the annual contribution made during the year 1928–29 in respect of housing schemes in Scotland under the Housing Acts of 1919, 1923, 1924 and 1926; and the number of houses in each case in respect of which subsidy was paid, including houses reconditioned under the last Act?

A statement containing the information desired is being prepared and I shall send a copy to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.