§ 27. Mr. WILLIAM WATSONasked the Secretary for Scotland the total amount of money which has been advanced on 1102 loan by the Scottish Board of Health to the Scottish National Housing Company, Limited, and the rate of interest charged; how much has been invested as shares in the company; whether the Board has any say in the fixing of the rents of the houses at Bosyth; if it has been consulted in any way regarding the imposition of certain conditions which have recently caused a considerable amount of irritation amongst the dockyard workers there; and, if so, what steps the Board propose to take in the matter?
The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Adamson)The amount of the loan advanced by the Scottish Board of Health to the Scottish National Housing Company, Limited, as at 30th June last, is £969,015; the rate of interest charged is 3½ per cent.; the sum invested by the Board as shares in the company is £62,500. The rents of the houses are provisionally fixed by the Company, but have to be approved by the Board and the Treasury after consultation with the Admiralty. Complaints have recently been made to me with respect to the conditions of tenancy and I am making personal inquiry into these with a view of finding a remedy.
§ Mr. T. JOHNSTONCan the Secretary for Scotland explain why it is that this company should get a loan of public money at 3½ per cent. while the poor fishermen are charged 5 per cent.? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer!"]
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMay we have an answer to this question?