§ 39. Mr. MILLARasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether his attention has been directed to the high cost of building materials in Scotland and the desire of the local authorities to prevent the prices of such materials rising to a prohibitive figure; and whether he is prepared to assist the local authorities in coming to an arrangement in each area to fix a fair schedule of rates for the materials they require, and to promote conferences among the local authorities for that purpose?
§ Captain ELLIOTAs regards the first part of the question, examination of the Interim Report of the Committee on Prices of Building Materials (Cmd. 1908), presented on 27th June last, does not indicate that prices of building materials in Scotland are on the average higher than those ruling in England and Wales. As regards the second part of the question, I am not certain as to what assistance the hon. and learned Member has in mind, but I shall be glad to consider any representations that may be made to me by the local authorities concerned.
§ Mr. MILLARCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman do anything to encourage common action among all the local authorities, so that they can level things down in regard to the prices of building materials by adjusting a smaller ratio for each area?
§ Captain ELLIOTIf the hon. and learned member can suggest any way by which we can encourage such action, I should be glad to consider it.