asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will approve the programmes for an additional number of council houses of the Barnard Castle Urban and Barnard Castle Rural District Councils to enable these councils to deal with the demand for the Glaxo Company's requirement of key workers' houses consequent upon their reorganisation and expansion in Barnard Castle.

Yes, Sir, subject to the usual conditions of standard and cost, but my right hon. Friend has no proposals from these councils before him at present.

Has the hon. Gentleman noted that this expansion will create between 300 and 400 new jobs but that, in turn, this will depend on the speedy provision of housing for key workers from London? Will he therefore speed up any administrative processes that are involved in this connection; and may we depend on his Department to assist in this expansion?

When, as I believe will happen, an application is made by the local authority to us, we will handle the matter as expeditiously as possible. The present stage rests with the local authority and is dependent, I understand, on the friendly consultations that are now going on with the firm in question.