§ 60. Major ELLIOTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the number of State-assisted municipal houses completed in the first six months of 1930, or, failing that, in the 927 first five months, and the numbers completed in the corresponding period in 1929?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Johnston)The figures for the month of June, 1930, are not yet available. In the first five months of 1930, 2,807 houses were completed by local authorities in Scotland under all State-assisted schemes. The number completed in the corresponding period of 1929 was 5,756 houses.
§ Sir K. WOODWhat is the reason for the tremendous drop in these figures?
§ Mr. MATHERSHas not the reduction in the subsidy by the late Government something to do with the matter?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONI should say that one part of the reason for the diminution in house building is undoubtedly the reduction in the subsidy by the late Government, and it is true that the evil that men do lives after them.
§ Sir K. WOODHas the hon. Gentleman any other excuses?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThere are no other excuses, but many valid arguments which will, I trust, be given in the course of the discussion this afternoon.
§ Major ELLIOTIs the hon. Gentleman's answer in agreement with the OFFICIAL REPORT, which states that the delay in the introduction of the Government's housing legislation also accounts for the fall?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONNo, the word "delay" is wrong.
Sir F. HALLDoes the hon. Gentleman recognise that, where a reduction in the bounty was made, the construction of houses in this country increased tremendously?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThat is not in accordance with the facts.
§ 61. Major ELLIOTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses for the working classes at present under construction in Scotland, according to his latest returns, under all categories; and the numbers under similar categories for the corresponding date last year?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONAt the 31st May, 1930, the number of houses under construction in Scotland under all State-assisted housing schemes was 10,580. The number at the corresponding date last year was 14,719.
§ Sir K. WOODWhat is the reason for that?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONSimilar reasons to those which were given before.
§ Sir K. WOODWill the hon. Gentleman explain that to the people who are houseless and badly housed?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONI prefer to explain it in the first instance to the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEAre we to understand that what is delay for other people is quick progress for a Socialist Government?
§ 62. Major ELLIOTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of men employed under various categories on municipal housing schemes according to his latest returns: and the numbers under those categories at the corresponding period last year?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONAt the 31st May, 1930, there were 6,307 men employed on local authorities' housing schemes in Scotland. The number employed at the corresponding date late year was 8,913.
§ Sir K. WOODWhat is the explanation of that?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThe explanation is very largely the fact that the overwhelming majority of the local authorities in Scotland are controlled by the right hon. Gentleman's friends.