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?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to announce the result of his inquiry into the burden of paving charges on owner-occupiers of new houses; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I regret that this investigation has not yet reached a stage at which definite results can be announced. I may say that some notes on the subject of private street charges appeared in the last Annual Report of the Ministry and further notes will be inserted in the forthcoming Report.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any date when he will take any action?

I cannot take action until the problem has been thoroughly explored by the local authorities. That is what they are doing now.