asked the Minister of Health if he will give the latest available figures as to the operation of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, and state what action he proposes in order to encourage a fuller use of the Act in districts where cottages and other buildings are in need of reconditioning for agricultural workers?

Up to the end of December last, the latest date for which information is available, assistance had been promised under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, in respect of 1,316 dwellings, work had been finished on 626 dwellings and was in progress at that date on a further 563 dwellings. With regard to the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend issued a further Circular to local authorities last year, and he can assure the hon. Member that he will continue to take every opportunity in the future of encouraging local authorities to make the fullest use of their powers under the Act.

Following that Circular, has there been any speeding-up of this re-conditioning under the Act?

There has been a certain amount, but we would like to see more.

Is the Department associating this matter with the new houses that are being built, because wherever new houses are being built there is an obvious opportunity of re-conditioning the old houses, and the councils do not seem to be putting two and two together?

Do the figures that have been given include the progress made in Scotland?

No, Sir.