I can give figures for the whole of Scotland but I have not figures for Edinburgh alone. The figures for the whole of Scotland show that by the end of October, 1948, we had 31,200 building operatives employed on new housing. By the end of August, 1949, there were 25,700 so employed, a drop of 5,500 during the period. Much of that was labour coming off site preparation but during that time there was a relative drop in the number of houses under construction. That does not mean that the housing programme was put out of balance. Indeed we brought it into balance. There has been a rapid speedup of the completion of houses during this period. Indeed Scotland has built more permanent new houses this year than was done in the whole of 1948. The drop in the building force is relative to the drop in the number of houses under construction, which has actually given us a higher number of completions.

I do not know that I can say much more about that except in relation to the point which was made about unlicensed building up to £1,000. We are carefully watching that matter, and recently at a meeting with the builders in Glasgow I mentioned the alarm felt at the reduction in the building force and at the large number of people employed on conversions and repair work. I indicated that we were looking at the matter very carefully and we might have to consider whether it would be necessary to carry forward the provision of a licence being required for building up to £1,000.

In regard to the final point relating to the advice which the Department might be able to give to people who come within the terms of the Rent Restrictions Act, it is no part of the Department's duty to give legal advice. We will however consider the point, which is a very valuable one. I will ask my right hon. Friend to suggest to the B.B.C. that something might perhaps be done in that way to familiarise people with their rights as tenants under the Rent Restrictions Act.

As I say, the position in Edinburgh will be carefully watched. The Edinburgh Corporation have had a very good record during the period since the end of the war, and if it is possible to induce the builders to build more speedily in Edinburgh we shall certainly do what we can to help them on with their work. We know of course that parts of Edinburgh constitute some of the black spots which need attention, just as do parts of Glasgow and the other cities. Because of that my right hon. Friend and those of us concerned with this great problem of Scottish housing do—