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.