asked the Minister of Works on the basis of houses completed, how the present output of house building compares with the prewar formula of one house per man per year.

In view of the scarcity of prewar data and changes in the size and types of houses, it is difficult to draw a direct comparison between the two periods.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the present rate of output is only 30 per cent. of prewar? Is it not time the Government did something about it?

I would not agree with that at all. The average size of the house built by local authorities has increased from 650 square feet to 950 square feet, which is approximately a 50 per cent. increase. Instead of being 12 months per man per house it is now 14 months. Improvement and efficiency have been greatly increased.

If the right hon. Gentleman has all this information why did he not give the comparisons for which I asked him in the Question?

Because I was asked about a period, and it is difficult to get the necessary statistics for a period.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the report of the committee on the cost of house building and output is published?

I do not know whether that falls to me or not, but I hope they are aware of the things I have said.

They were appointed by the Minister of Health.