§ 24. Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health, if he is aware that the grant of £15,000,000 provided for subsidies to private builders under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, was allocated in the Goschen proportions, which means eleven-eightieths to Scotland; if under this allocation there is still £750,000 due to Scotland; and in what form this sum will be paid?
§ Captain ELLIOTI am aware that the amount originally provided for subsidies to private builders was apportioned on the Goschen basis. This amount, however, was the maximum against which 2333 claims might be made in respect of houses completed within the prescribed time limit. The amount was not fully exhausted in either Scotland or England —though the scheme was taken up to a proportionately greater extent in England. There can be no question, therefore, of a balance being due to Scotland, but, as stated in the reply which was given to the hon. Member on the 6th instant on behalf of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the situation under the private builders' subsidy was taken into account in fixing the limit to the number of houses to be built in Scotland under the local authorities housing schemes.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the substance of that reply that Scotland has not got its eleven-eightieths of that sum?
§ Captain ELLIOTThat is the substance of the reply.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONAre we not legally entitled to get it?
§ Captain ELLIOTNo, Sir.
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Wheatley.
§ Mr. SCRYMGEOURWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman say why we cannot get that proportion?
§ Captain ELLIOTI do not know if I should be in order in going back after another hon. Member has been called, but, if that hon. Member will excuse my going back, I would say that that, of course, refers to sums due to Scotland under the municipal housing schemes.