§ 30. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether seeing that the Ministry of Health has been able to provide information that since 1016 local authorities in England and Wales have acquired for housing purposes 73,033 acres of land at a total capital test of, approximately, £15,200,000, he will take steps to procure the corresponding facts as to land acquired, and the price paid, by Scottish local authorities for housing purposes?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThere is wide difference between the practice in the two countries. In Scotland, for example, we have considerable feuing as apart from purchase of land and the statutory powers of Scottish local authorities for borrowing do not require them—unless in exceptional cases—to secure the consent of the Department. I am, however, considering the question of requesting a special return on the subject, and I will communicate later with the hon. Gentleman.