asked the Minister for Local Government if he will take steps, if necessary by the introduction of proposals for legislation, to enable cottiers who have purchased their cottages to obtain (a) a reconstruction grant irrespective of the number of people occupying the house, and (b) a reconstruction grant for the erection of a bathroom.

In view of the statutory obligation which rests on the local authority to put each cottage in good repair before vesting and in view of the very extensive claims on State and local funds in respect of housing generally, I think it is reasonable to confine reconstruction grants for vested cottages to cases where it is proposed to increase the living space in order to relieve serious overcrowding.