asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if county councils are empowered to sell to the tenants the labourers' cottages which have been recently transferred to such councils owing to the abolition of the rural district councils, and, if not, whether he will have legislation introduced for this purpose; and, if so, whether the amount of rent paid by the tenants, less collectors' fees, will be included as portion of the purchase money, and if the price will be fixed according to the valuation when the cottage is erected; and whether tenants of labourers' cottages will be facilitated for the purpose of borrowing on favourable terms to enable them to purchase their homes.

It is not proposed at present to introduce legislation on the lines suggested.

Will the Minister say when it is proposed to introduce legislation?

Probably at some future date.

Will the Minister say if the local authority decides by a substantial majority to carry through such a scheme, that he will sanction the scheme? If the county councils are agreeable to sell, will the Minister sanction the scheme?

I could not do that; I have no legislative authority to do so.