asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory condition of many houses in Leicester which are still being occupied, although condemned before the war as being unfit for human habitation; and whether he will encourage the erection of houses on the adjoining sites and on the sites of those condemned houses if they are demolished.

Yes, Sir. The local authority propose to redevelop the areas, building new houses on the sites when cleared, as circumstances permit.

Will my right hon. Friend do what he can to remedy this matter as speedily as possible, because in Leicester itself people in one of these houses are being told that the condition of the house is such that they cannot get sanitary certificates to enable them to obtain a reduction in their rents for want of repair? Is he aware that the house is condemned, and yet, at the same time, they have nowhere else to go?

In connection with representations from the City of Leicester, I would say that the only limitation on the plans of that local authority, as with every other authority in the country, is the number of building workers available, and I have not heard that there are any unemployed building workers in Leicester.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 30,000 dwelling houses in Salford have no bath or hot water system, and have to rely upon a coal or coke fire; and what steps he is taking to provide this need.

I am aware of the position. I hope that the Housing Bill at present before the House will facilitate the improvement of the houses in appropriate cases.

Am I to understand that the new Housing Bill will allow £100 to be spent on houses no older than 30 years? If that is so, may I inform the Minister that there are numbers of houses in the industrial areas which are 40 and 50 years old which might be dealt with in a similar manner?

It depends entirely upon the condition, and not necessarily upon the age of the house whether it would qualify for the grant under the Bill now before the House. Up to £100 can be spent at present, which is the limit of licence-free repair.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the high rates of interest still being paid by local authorities on outstanding housing loans, and if he contemplates any action to obtain a reduction and thus enable many local authorities to ease the burden on their working-class tenants.

I am aware that outstanding housing loans of local authorities carry interest at varying rates. The interest factor was of course taken into account at the time the Exchequer subsidy was fixed under the different Housing Acts. I have no power to alter the terms of the loans.

asked the Minister of Health how many permanent and temporary houses have been let to agricultural workers in England and Wales since 1st April, 1945; and for how many of these the higher subsidies have been paid.

On the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Housing Return. The answer to the second part is 7,274.