Then let me refer to the statutory orders. I was disturbed, and a little perplexed, by the figures my hon. Friend gave for delays. I could not understand why the delays should be of this order. I had assumed that when the local authority had made an order, they could step in, after the time put in the order had expired, unless the person on whom the notice had been served had decided to appeal against it. I am advised that in a great number of cases it would be competent for the local authority—the limit under the notice having expired—to step in and do the work itself, and to charge the cost of it to the person on whom notice had been served. Be that as it may. The important thing which I think, perhaps, one ought to say in this connection, is that one understands perfectly well the shortage of materials at present. With the large amount of war damage, necessarily absorbing large quantities of slates and plasterboards, with the difficulties that we have, particularly with the production of cement—of which stocks have fallen very low—with all these things, one understands that there are difficulties in supplying materials. But let me say to my hon. Friends that I am not satisfied that the provisions which we have made for trying to ensure the supply of materials for repairs of the kind that have been described have, in fact, been properly worked out in all these cases. When my right hon. Friend says, as he did, that he was not aware of the specific instances, he was naturally speaking of the information we have had. I would ask that the procedure we have laid down should be followed, and that the Ministry of Works should be asked specifically to deal with any shortage, and I have an assurance from them that they will do everything they can to speed up the supply of materials.

Finally, I would like to say that the Building Materials Priority Scheme is under review, and I would assure the House that in any revision the need for materials for essential repairs will be kept in the forefront of our minds. I appreciate the difficulties, I share the sense of impatience of the people who have to live in these conditions, and I would ask my hon. Friends to support us in anything we may do to tighten up on these matters, and to put the screw on any landlords who are avoiding the exercise of their duty by excuses which are not always as valid as they might seem.