asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that applications for the financial grant in respect of cottages built privately for essential agricultural workers have been refused on the ground that the cottages carry a service tenancy; and, in view of the acute shortage of agricultural dwellings, if he will take steps to ensure that the building of new ones is not discouraged by any discriminatory ruling.

No, Sir; it is only cottages carrying a service tenancy which attract subsidy under Section 13 of the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1946.

Will the Minister agree that private owners only attempt to build agricultural cottages if they are urgently required, and will he undertake that where the grant is refused he will find the cottages in some other way within a period of two years?

Cottages are being provided in the countryside to a far larger extent than for many years past. But we are not prepared to give public money to subsidise tied cottages.