27 SEPTEMBER 1946, Page 13

Sm,—Even if the Attorney General's comparison of the housing drive

by the Socialists now and the Tories in 1919 had been actuarially correct, it would have been essentially unfair, for the conditions were so different. The population in 1919 (owing to heavy war casualties) was lower than in 1914, and comparatively few houses had been destroyed. In short, over most parts of the country the provision of new houses was more a luxury-than a necessity. A special Govemmait priority drive was there- fore not warranted. How different is the case today! This unfair con- troversial tactic of the Socialists seems to have been unaccountably over,

looked by their opponents.—Yours faithfully, ALFRED H. BORNE. 29 Sheffield Terrace, W.8.