HC Deb 14 December 1926 vol 200 cc2747-9
16. Colonel CROOKSHANK

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the inclusive contract prices being paid by the Second Scottish National Housing Company for 1,000 Weir, 500 Cowieson, and 500 Atholl type houses respectively, prices to include foundations but not land, drainage and fencing?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I assume that what is desired is the price per house, which works out at approximately £415 each for Weir and Cowieson houses and £431 for Atholl houses. These prices do not include the cost of land, sewers, or fencing, nor do they include the cost of roads, transport, or administrative charges, particulars of which are not yet available.

Brigadier-General CHARTERIS

May I assume, in view of the cheaper cost of the Atholl houses for the same accommodation, that efforts will be made to further the erection of Atholl houses?

Mr. SPEAKER

A question of policy arises there.

19. Mr. JOHNSTON (for Mr. KIRK-WOOD)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of complaints by inmates that the deafening between Weir houses is bad, he will state what the party walls are composed of and the thickness of the substance employed?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I am not aware that complaints have been made by tenants that the deafening between Weir houses is bad. The party wall is 12 inches thick, composed of two standard partitions of varying thickness, and a cavity between the partitions in which are placed 2-inch thick fire-resisting slabs or ⅜-inch celotex sheeting fixed to rough boarding. The room side of partitions is covered with 3–16th inch beaver boarding.

20. Mr. JOHNSTON (for Mr. KIRK-WOOD)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the houses erected by Messrs. Weir at Dundee, for the Second National Housing Company, have proved satisfactory to the tenants; whether there have been complaints and, if so, of what nature and extent; and whether any steps have been taken to prevent recurrence of the causes of complaint?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I am advised that the houses in question have proved satisfactory to the tenants generally, and that such complaints as have been made have reference to minor defects not unusual in newly-completed houses, such as down-draught, defective hot-water supply, rain driving under entrance doors, and leaks. These complaints affect only a small proportion of the houses, and steps have been and are being taken to remove all causes of complaint, and to prevent a recurrence of the defects disclosed.

22. Mr. JOHNSTON (for Mr. KIRK-WOOD)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that chimneys on Weir houses in Linlithgow and Robroyston have been blown down; and if he can state the number?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I am not aware of Weir houses erected in Linlithgow. A number have been erected in various sites in the County of Linlithgow, and if the hon. Member has any of these in mind, I shall be glad to have inquiry made, if he will inform me of the name of the particular site. As regards Robroyston, I am informed that during a gale last month 20 chimneys of unoccupied Weir houses, newly erected or in course of erection by the Scottish National Housing Company, were blown down.