House Building

Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 5 February 1957.

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Photo of Mr Willie Hamilton Mr Willie Hamilton , Fife West 12:00, 5 February 1957

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities are not building houses at the latest date for which information is available; and what are the reasons for this cessation of new construction.

Photo of Mr Jack Browne Mr Jack Browne , Glasgow Craigton

At 31st December there were seventy-nine local authorities with no houses under construction, but twelve of them were due to start additional houses under approved tenders. The authorities concerned are rural counties or small burghs, and it is probable that most of them have gone a long way towards meeting current needs.

Photo of Mr Willie Hamilton Mr Willie Hamilton , Fife West

Does the hon. Gentleman mean that one in three local authorities in Scotland which have no houses under construction have not got them under construction because supply is equated with demand? Is that what he is saying?

Photo of Mr Jack Browne Mr Jack Browne , Glasgow Craigton

The percentage covered by this number of local authorities is approximately 4 per cent. of the population of Scotland.

Photo of Mr William Ross Mr William Ross , Kilmarnock

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses for which local authorities have sought approval of tenders since 31st July, 1956; and if he will also give the figures for the same period in the two previous years.

Photo of Mr Jack Browne Mr Jack Browne , Glasgow Craigton

The number of houses in tenders approved during the six months ended 31st January, 1957, was 10,433, as compared with 12,777 and 15,026 during the corresponding periods ended 31st January, 1956 and 1955, respectively.

Photo of Mr William Ross Mr William Ross , Kilmarnock

Is it not evident, taking that in conjunction with the figures available of houses under construction, that there is a continuous fall in the house building programme in Scotland? Since we have not got the up-to-date figures for the latest months, are we not entitled to conclude that that is going to continue and get even worse? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is great danger of unemployment in the building industry in Scotland at a time when we are in dire need of more and more houses? What is he going to do about it?

Photo of Mr Jack Browne Mr Jack Browne , Glasgow Craigton

I think the hon. Member is drawing quite wrong conclusions from the figures. The figures have been showing a steady decline since the peak year of 1953. The reason for that decline is one we are all very glad to see, that the smaller local authorities are approaching the end of their programmes.

Photo of Mr William Ross Mr William Ross , Kilmarnock

How can the Minister justify a decline from 15,000 to 12,000 and now to 10,000 in tenders approved when things are getting worse every week?

Photo of Mr Jack Browne Mr Jack Browne , Glasgow Craigton

We are very glad to see Scotland overtaking at least part of her very great housing problem.