asked the Minister of Health what estimate he has made of the number of houses required to give a separate dwelling to each family; and how far the building programme has advanced in respect to it.

As has been stated on several occasions, the last Government and this Government agreed, in 1945, that 750,000 new dwellings are needed to give a separate home to every family in the country. The progress made up to 29th February last is shown in the monthly housing return issued last week.

Does my right hon. Friend think that he may reach that target of 750,000 this year?

I confidently expect that the first target will be reached by the end of the year, but I am not satisfied that 750,000 is itself a fully reliable figure. Towards the end of the year, I hope that the local authorities will comb their lists so that we have a realistic picture of what the needs will be.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the figures he has given take full account of the need to provide new houses for people living in sadly overcrowded conditions, and whether, in framing these estimates, he took into account the requirements of the 1936 Act before people can be regarded as living under overcrowded conditions?

We inherited this figure, as well as this problem, from the previous Government. We are hoping to reduce the figure at the end of the year, when it will be possible for us to appreciate what the situation may he. Very substantial relief is being given each month.

Can the Minister say whether the confidence he has expressed is of the same convincing quality as that which he expressed when introducing the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, 1945, when he gave the end of 1947 as his date for the expectation of the solution of the housing problem?

The hon. Member's recollection is, as usual, grossly inaccurate.

Does not the Minister think that the time has come when it is possible to take some further steps towards reconditioning rural properties?

Reconditioning of rural houses must still take second place to the provision of new houses, but the matter of reconditioning is, of course, under consideration. I think hon. Members opposite will agree that it is still necessary to use all the resources of the rural areas to provide new accommodation.

Is the Minister aware of the very adverse effect that the increased interest rate is going to have on local authorities in the building of houses?

There is no evidence whatever that the increased interest rate has prevented the building of a single house.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the total of 750,000 estimated by the Caretaker Government of 1945 includes the 500,000 Portal houses promised, and how many Portal houses have been delivered?

I would hesitate at this stage to reflect upon that melancholy history.