asked the Minister of Health, why a civil building licence was refused to Mr. E. D. Wigley-Smith, 7, The Avenue, Worcester, on 6th June, 1947, although his plans had been approved by the Worcester City Council, who recommended that a licence be issued in this case.

The urgent need for houses to rent in Worcester has made it necessary to restrict the issue of licences for houses for sale.

Are the recommendations of local authorities taken into consideration in these matters?

The recommendations of local authorities are always considered, and it has been necessary on a number of occasions to restrict the local authority from issuing an unreasonable number of licences.