asked the Minister of Health why subsidies to figures acceptable to local authorities for nontraditional houses have increased from about £6 million in 1947–48 to about £17 million for this year; and before implementing this policy, will he consider saving this cost by building brick houses for which ample supplies of labour, bricks, cement and timber are now available.

The capital grant is restricted by statute to houses in schemes approved before 31st December, 1947. No programmes for non-traditional houses approved since that date will, therefore, qualify for grant. The total cost of the capital grants is estimated at £51½ million for 1947–48, and at £13,600,000 for 1948–49.. The grant is payable on the completion of the houses, and the increase in the estimates is due to the fact that more of these houses are now being completed than in 1947.

Is the Minister aware that his policy of concentrating all production on non-traditional houses, which can only be temporary houses, is ruining the building industry for traditional houses which are of a permanent character?

The hon. Member is wrong in both respects.

No, he is not.

Most of the non-traditional houses are permanent. With regard to the second part of the Question, these houses were put in hand whilst the traditional industry was being built up. Now that it has been built up, further approval of extra grants for non-traditional houses has ceased.