asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of houses purchased by the National Coal Board at prices in excess of £5,000.

I have no information about properties purchased by the National Coal Board other than what I have seen in the Press.

Does that characteristically helpful reply mean that the right hon. Gentleman is blissfully ignorant of the expenditure of large sums of money on the purchase of large and luxurious houses for senior officials, or does it mean that he does know but does not care two hoots?

I could hardly be regarded as ignorant after reading the daily Press.

Is the Minister aware that if the officials are indeed accom- modated in luxurious premises, this will be the first time in the whole of my connection with the public service that that has been true.

While this is primarly a matter for the National Coal Board, it should be made known to hon. Members, who are apparently unaware of the fact, that houses are provided—whether luxurious or otherwise I cannot say—for the higher salaried employees of the Board under contractual obligations which are imposed upon the Board by the terms of an Act of Parliament.

If that is so, is it not about time that Parliament had some control over this expenditure?

Parliament, including the hon. Gentleman who has asked me this supplementary question, decided in its wisdom that this power should be conferred on the National Coal Board, and I have no authority to vary it.

Would my right hon. Friend ascertain the number of houses purchased and owned by the coalowners prior to nationalisation?

Can the Minister say whether these are tied houses or not?

They are just as much tied under the Coal Board as under private ownership.

If the Minister does not know how many houses have been purchased, does he know how many have been burned down?

I have read in the newspapers that one was burned down.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that he knows the terms on which the houses are held but does not know how many are in fact concerned?

I know of the terms because I happen to know the provisions of the Act of Parliament.