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Housing

My Lords, I declare an interest as a former member of the Rural Development Commission, along with the noble Lord, Lord Best, and as the owner of a farm and houses in Suffolk. Has the Minister had the opportunity of reading an important article by Sir Simon Jenkins in the Sunday Times of 15 July and, if so, does she agree with any of the substantive points that he made? Given that the Government have an obligation to try to ensure that the people of this country are decently housed, does she recognise that this really should mean increasing the supply of rented housing, where the occupant rather than the house is subsidised? Does she recognise that there can be no obligation, if only because it is unachievable, to ensure that everyone who wants to own their home can do so regardless of their means, because to offer to do so will lead only to disappointment? Lastly, has the MoD included RAF Northolt in its six sites on offer for brownfield development?