asked the Minister of Works whether the contractors recently employed at Sherwood Lodge, regional headquarters of the National Coal Board, received and complied with Circular L.R. 204/1, issued by the Material Priority Section, 51, Gracechurch Street; and, in view of the fact that many of the articles in the list of materials covered by priority certificate on the back of the form may be purchased openly in the shops, whether that list is still valid and correct.

The circular referred to by the hon. Member is used only in the London Region for work licensed by me, and not for work authorised by another Minister, in this instance my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power. The list of materials on the back of the torm is still valid.

In view of the acute housing shortage, why were priorities given to Sherwood Lodge to make bureaucrats comfortable while honest citizens cannot get houses?

I am not aware that such priorities were given.

But that is the Question I asked.