asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he can give a full statement explaining the long delay in the construction of the Kielder village settlement, giving the date of commencement and the date by which it is now hoped that the houses will be occupied?

Owing to delay on the part of the builder of the houses at Kielder the Forestry Commissioners have terminated the contract dated 30th July, 1936. The matter is under consideration by the parties' legal advisers, and meanwhile it is not possible to anticipate the date by which the houses will be occupied.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman recollect that he told this House last July, in answer to a Supplementary Question, that many of the cottages were nearly ready and occupants had been selected but were not actually in occupation. How does he relate that statement to the answer which he has just given?

Both statements are strictly correct.

Is it not time that my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hexham (Colonel Brown) and my right hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Rye (Sir G. Courthope) buried the hatchet?