asked the Minister of Health the general nature of the representations which he has received from local authorities concerning the Housing (No. 2) Bill since its introduction in this House?

I understand that the Associations of Local Authorities have the Bill under consideration, and will, no doubt, have questions of detail to raise. I have received very few representations from individual local authorities. I think, however, that I can fairly say, from the discussions which I have had with the representatives of local authorities and from consideration of the conclusions of the important Conference of the Association of Municipal Corporations on slum areas, that the local authorities are generally in favour of my proposals.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received and considered representations to the effect that the removal bonus from slum areas should be paid whether people are moved to new or to old houses?

That matter has been raised by the Association of Municipal Corporations, and I promised to give it careful and independent consideration.

Are rural areas included, as well as urban areas?