asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to appoint rent officers in the County of Dorset.

These officers will be appointed by the Clerk of the County Council personally. I do not expect that they will be operating before next February.

Is it not a fact that in the meantime the granting of tenancies is being held up and thereby the amount of available housing diminished? Is there any good reason why London should have any preference over the County of Dorset?

The main reason is that, as the Milner Holland Report made perfectly clear, London is in an extremely difficult position and requires top priority.