§ 22 and 23. Mr. HOGGEasked 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 WOODThe 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. HOGGEMay 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 WOODI 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. HOGGEI 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. CHIOZZA MONEYMay I ask whether my right hon. Friend will not consider the advisability of saving 1 per cent. by dispensing with the company?
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYMay I ask how long this scheme will be delayed?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI 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. HOGGEasked 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 WOODThe 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. HOGGEIs 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 WOODThat is a question which my hon. Friend must address to the representative of the Office of Works.
§ Mr. PIRIEDoes the Secretary for Scotland say that, in his official capacity, he does not safeguard the interests of Scotland when they are at stake?
§ Sir GEORGE YOUNGERAre the houses to be available only for Government servants?
§ Mr. PIRIEIs 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?