HC Deb 14 July 1914 vol 64 cc1690-2
22 and 23. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Secretary for Scotland (1) whether the Local Government Board are now negotiating with a public utility company for building at Rosyth; if so, which company it is, and who it is made up of; how much building it involves; the total area of the scheme; and (2) whether, before the negotiations for a public company developing Rosyth are completed, the details of the scheme will be submitted to this House in order that it can be discussed?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The Local Government Board for Scotland are considering the steps which will fall to be taken by them when the Housing Bill becomes law, but I am not in a position to make any statement of the points mentioned by my hon. Friend at present.

Mr. HOGGE

May we take it from the right hon. Gentleman that before an agreement is made—assuming that it is to be made—with the public utility company, involving, probably, a credit of £1,000,000, we in this House will have some knowledge of the details under which the company is going to act?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I shall be very glad to give any information in my power. As my hon. Friend is aware, Rosyth is an urgent case, and steps will have to be taken there as soon as the Bill is passed into law.

Mr. HOGGE

Will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking in this House—

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

No.

Mr. HOGGE

I beg to give notice that as the House is not to have an opportunity of discussing the scheme I will raise this question on the Adjournment.

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The hon. Gentleman might raise it on the Bill.

Mr. HOGGE

Yes, but you will put the Government Whips on.

Mr. CHIOZZA MONEY

May I ask whether my right hon. Friend will not consider the advisability of saving 1 per cent. by dispensing with the company?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I do not think the matter can be settled in that very short way.

Mr. PONSONBY

Will the scheme apply to the whole area or only to the Admiralty part of the property?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

We are only dealing with Government property and Government employés.

Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

May I ask how long this scheme will be delayed?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

A great deal will depend upon when the Bill passes.

Mr. PIRIE

Is the Scottish Office of Works in any way responsible for it?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the Bill provides that in certain contingencies the Scottish Office of Works may be called in.

24. Mr. J. HOGGE

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in the event of the negotiations for a public company developing Rosyth falling through, the Admiralty or the Local Government Board will build; whether, in that case, the building will be under the rules and regulations of the Local Government Board but organised by the Office of Works; and whether in that case they will be supervised by the new principal architect which it is proposed should take the post now held by Mr. Oldrieve, or whether, this being a Scottish undertaking, some special office will be created within his own Department to deal with it?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The Housing Bill which is presently before Parliament does not confer upon the Local Government Board for Scotland any power to build houses for Government employés, and the second and third parts of the question do not, therefore, arise.

Mr. HOGGE

Is it not the case that, should the negotiations with the Public Utility Company fall through, the building will be supervised by the Office of Works, and, if that is so, is it true that the Office of Works in Scotland has been degraded in status without the change being discussed in this House?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

That is a question which my hon. Friend must address to the representative of the Office of Works.

Mr. PIRIE

Does the Secretary for Scotland say that, in his official capacity, he does not safeguard the interests of Scotland when they are at stake?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I did not say so.

Mr. PIRIE

You implied so. Let us have a straight answer for once.

Sir GEORGE YOUNGER

Are the houses to be available only for Government servants?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

It is a purely Admiralty scheme.

Mr. PIRIE

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to see some of the privileges of Scotland with regard to the Scottish Office of Works filched away from him during his unfortunate tenure of office?