47. Mr. Mclnnesasked the Prime Minister if he is prepared to consider the feasibility of establishing a Ministry of Building in Scotland who will overtake and co-ordinate the functions at present carried out by the Department of Health and the Ministry of Works so far as housing and all other building work is concerned.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ The Prime MinisterA similar Question was put to me on 13th March, and if the hon. Member will look at that reply he will see the reason.
§ Mr. McGovernIs my right hon. Friend aware that the wastage in housing is so great in Glasgow that though 380 houses were completed in a month there was a demand for 440 in respect of houses that had been condemned? Is he aware that there is great dissatisfaction in Labour circles over the housing question in Scotland, and that they feel that 852 both a Minister and a Ministry for this one task only are essential for its accomplishment?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not myself convinced that the remedy suggested by my hon. Friend would meet the case. I think he knows quite well what are the limiting factors with regard to house building.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIs my right hon. Friend aware that local authorities all over Scotland are perturbed about the slow progress of housing owing to the shortage of cement? Does he not think that a co-ordinating Minister would see that the cement is supplied to those who need it so badly?
§ The Prime MinisterPerhaps my hon. Friend will put a Question about cement to the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ElliotWould it not be much better if the right hon. Gentleman commended the Secretary of State to adopt the constructive proposals for speeding up house building which have been repeatedly urged by this side of the House and repeatedly voted against by his hon. Friends?
§ The Prime MinisterSo far as I know, the proposals put forward by right hon. and hon. Gentlemen on the other side of the House have shown a complete lack of appreciation of the conditions. Their remedies seem always to be concentrated on the idea that apparently it all ought to be done by private enterprise. As a matter of fact, private builders are doing the work at the order of the local authorities.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ElliotWe understand that the right hon. Gentleman has not time to listen to the broadcasts "Now it can be told." Would he not, however, take time to listen to the Debates in this House? Had he done so he would have heard these positive, constructive proposals, such as the release of a greater amount of material for house building in Scotland, which certainly would speed up housing. Will he make sure that he will, at least, not, first of all, say, "It cannot be done," and then, shortly afterwards, finding it can be done, try to take the credit for it?
§ The Prime MinisterIf the right hon. and gallant Gentleman will bring to my 853 attention any specific case in which he thinks specific materials should be released.