asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at Little Laver, Essex, there are cottages, known as Colvers Cottages, which have been inhabited for the last nine months without water supply; whether he will give reasons for the causes of delay in providing the water: and whether, in future, he will consider the question of allowing local authorities to accept tenants unless they have made proper arrangements for water supply?

I understand that when the cottages in question, which were erected by the rural district council, were let, it was expected that the arrangements the council were making for a supply of water to the cottages from the mains of the local water company would shortly be completed. Pending such completion, a temporary stand-pipe has been provided. The delay in providing a water supply connected to the houses arose from the fact that this was found to be impracticable under the company's Act, and it has been necessary to adopt the procedure of the Supply of Water in Bulk Act, 1934. The arrangements have now been completed, and I understand that the water main will be laid within a few weeks. As regards the last part of the question, I sanction loans for the provision of houses by local authorities only on the understanding that a sufficient water supply will be available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the divergence of opinion which exists as to the effect of Section 7 (2) of the Rent Restriction Act, 1938; and whether he proposes to issue any directions as to whether, in calculating the increase of rates to be passed on to the tenant, the amount payable in 1914, the gross rates, should be deducted from the amount payable in 1938, or whether the amount actually paid in 1914, the net rates, should be deducted from the amount payable in 1938?

The intention of the Government was to provide that the comparison of current rates with rates in 1914 should be on the basis of gross rates, and not, as previously, on the basis of net rates. If the question arises whether the provision fails to give effect to this intention, the matter could only be settled by the Courts.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statistics to show the number of cottages at present occupied by farm workers; and the approximate number of those cottages which need reconditioning or replacing?

The estimates given in the report of the Inter-departmental Committee on this subject in 1932 indicate that at that date roughly 450,000 cottages in England and Wales were occupied by agricultural workers. I regret that I am unable to state how many of these cottages need reconditioning or replacing.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses for agricultural labourers have been built by local authorities under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1938, and how many are being built at the present time?

Financial assistance under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1938, is available, not only for houses approved under that Act, but for houses approved under certain earlier Acts which are not completed by 31st December, 1938; and, consequently, until that date is passed, it is not possible to say how many of the houses now being built will qualify for the new rate of subsidy.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the statement made by the Home Office to the Select Committee on Estimates last June, that there is a ring of firms supplying fire-fighting appliances, all of whom, on a specific occasion, sent in identical quotations, he will give the names of the 10 firms in question?

Since the statement was made to the Select Committee on Estimates, facilities for the investigation of the cost of producing flax hose have been made available to my Department, and I am now satisfied that the price quoted by the firms contains no more than a reasonable element of profit. In these circumstances, I do not think it would serve any public advantage to give the names of the firms in question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that the rapid growth of population has seriously overcrowded existing school accommodation in North-West Romford, and that there is immediate need for a new senior school in Collier Row and for an extension to Clockhouse Lane School?

I am fully aware of the position as regards school accommodation in North-West Romford. It has received very careful consideration by the local education authority for Essex, and the board have recently approved preliminary plans for a new senior school at Collier Row (Lodge Lane) to accommodate 520 boys and 520 girls, and for an extension of Clockhouse Lane School to accommodate between 450 and 500 additional junior children. I am satisfied that the local education authority will provide the necessary school accommodation as expeditiously as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is anticipated that the extension of the Central London line will be open to Mile End, Stratford and Newbury Park, respectively?

I am making inquiries, and will let the hon. Member know the result.