asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many local authorities have to submit their layouts to him for approval; how many have done so; and how many have so far been approved for the first two years' post-war housing.

Local authorities are required to submit their proposals for the lay-out of housing estates, not to me but to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, who consults me in regard to the principles to be observed. I understand that up to 1st March, 1945, 4,986 sites, for 314,893 houses, and detailed lay-outs covering 78,000 houses have been approved for the first two years' post-war programme.

Mr. Shinfwell:

Apart from answering occasional Questions in the House and dealing with a few trifling matters, what else is the right hon. Gentleman doing in this Department?

That is a matter which can be raised more appropriately on another Parliamentary occasion. It is quite impossible to answer it at Question Time; it is such a long story.