asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state (a) the annual amounts issued as grants to local authorities building or reconstructing houses, and (b) the amount of the annual contributions towards loan charges under the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Acts, 1932 to 1941.

Under pre-1922 Acts annual grants are paid direct to (a) urban housing authorities amounting to £6,000 approximately, and (b) are paid on behalf of rural housing authorities amounting to £73,600 approximately. The State contributions to loan charges (urban and rural housing authorities) under the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Acts, 1932 to 1941, amounted to £460,733 in the financial year ended 31st March, 1941. The State contributions in the present financial year are estimated at £516,000.