§ 15. Mr. MacKENZIE LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the names of the authorities in the crofting areas who have intimated their intention to operate the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, and how many of these have decided to do so since the recent conference at Inverness?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLANDI am informed that in the areas in question the local authorities of the Black Isle, Easter Ross, Mid Ross and south-western districts of Ross-shire and the local authority of Caithness County have intimated their intention to operate the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926. Schemes by the first three of these local authorities have already been approved by the Scottish Board of Health and schemes by the other two have been submitted to the Board and will be approved shortly. Three of the above schemes have been submitted since the recent conference at Inverness. The local authorities of the Harris district of Inverness-shire and of the western district of Ross-shire are to decide at their meetings this month whether they will adopt a scheme, and the Board are in communication with the other local authorities in the crofting areas, urging action by them under the Act.
§ 18. Mr. STEPHENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Rent 1934 Restrictions Act, so far as it affects Scotland, will be extended for a full year under the Expiring Laws Continuance Act?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLANDThe answer is in the affirmative.
§ 19. Mr. STEPHENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses that have been built in Glasgow under the Housing Act of 1924; the number at present under construction; and the average rent, inclusive of rates, of such houses?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLANDAs at 30th June, 1927, the number of houses built under the Housing Act of 1924 by the Corporation of Glasgow was 676, the number under construction 3,250, and the average annual rent of the houses for which rents have been fixed, inclusive of occupiers' rates, is £40 17s.
§ 50. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will reconsider his decision not to recommend the Public Works Loan Commissioners to make a further advance to the Clydebank Town Council for the purposes of housing, in view of the fact that this area has suffered severe depression since 1920, and that a loan obtained in the open market at the authorised rate of 5½ per cent. would either so increase the rents of the houses or so burden the municipal rates as to make the housing scheme unworkable?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir. In accordance with the usual practice, Clydebank may borrow from the Local Loans Fund up to one-half the amount of the proceeds of National Savings Certificates sold in that area within the preceding 12 months. Further advances could only be made by restricting the amount available for the smaller local authorities, for whom the Local Loans Fund is primarily intended, and I am unable to agree to that course.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman have regard to the fact, as indicated in the question, that there has been a great amount of unemployment in this town, and that two of the biggest employers, Sir Robert McAlpine and Lord Aberconway, who have over 10,000 houses, have agreed to accept pre-War rents for their houses? Surely it is not too much 1935 to ask the Government to try and help us over this difficulty at the moment by letting us have money at a lower rate of interest?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is making a statement. He must confine himself to putting questions.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI have put my question. Surely, you will not prevent the Chancellor of the Exchequer from answering it?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is the hon. Member who is preventing him.