asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the judgment of the House of Lords overruling the previous decision that a broken sash-cord in the window of a front bedroom in a two-bedroom house rendered the house not in all respects reasonably fit for habitation; and, as this judgment will have serious repercussions upon the obligations of local authorities responsible for the maintenance and letting of council houses, what does he intend doing about the matter?

My right hon. Friend has seen reports of the case referred to by my hon. Friend and has noted the interpretation given by the courts of the obligations imposed by Section 2 (1) of the Housing Act, 1936, on local authorities, in common with other landlords who let small houses. My right hon. Friend cannot accept the implication in the second part of the Question, and, as at present advised, he is not prepared to introduce legislation which would limit the safeguards to tenants conferred by the Section as it now stands.