asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of houses built or building up to 1st July under the Housing Act, 1923, and the number sanctioned: and whether any schemes under the Act of 1924 are being delayed by lack of building operatives?

Under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, 89,427 houses had been completed up to the 1st July last, 42,807 were in course of construction, 31,186 had been definitely arranged for but not commenced, and 51,053 had been authorised but no definite arrangements made. Under the Act of 1924, at the same date 6,282 houses had been completed, 19,423 were under construction, a further 24,027 had been definitely arranged for but were not commenced, and 14,537 had been authorised but had not been definitely arranged for. With regard to the last part of the question, there is no doubt that the progress of housing generally would be expedited if more skilled labour were available.