asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that the housing programme of the city of Stoke-on-Trent corporation is being disorganised by the inadequate supplies of cement available to the public works department; and what steps are being taken to improve the position, bearing in mind the abnormal requirements arising from mining subsidence.

I am aware that the corporation have not received their requirements in full, but I have arranged for the supply to be increased and my regional officers will continue to give the Corporation all possible assistance.

asked the Minister of Health the total standards of timber imported and produced in this country over the most recent convenient period; and what proportion was allocated to the housing programme.

In the three months April to June, 1947, supplies of imported and home-produced softwood for all essential purposes totalled 197,275 standards. Of this some 84,000 standards were allotted to housing work.

Could the hon. Gentleman tell us how much of that timber was imported from Russia?

Not without notice.