§ 4. Mr. SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the new Housing Bill is to apply to Scotland, and, if not, whether a separate Housing Bill for Scotland is in contemplation; whether he is aware that house building in Scotland is being retarded owing to the fact that many landowners, especially in and around the small towns and villages, refuse to give off land for feus for the erection of houses and shops, notwithstanding the considerable demand for them; and whether, in these circumstances, the Government intends to introduce legislation to compel landowners in Scotland to make land available for this purpose when and where required?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Johnston)As regards the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply 227 given on the 11th February to the hon. Member for North Lanark (Miss Lee), to which I have nothing to add. As regards the second and third parts I am not aware that the position is as stated, and I would refer the hon. Member to the powers which local authorities already have to acquire land for housing purposes—compulsorily if need be—under Sections 44, 51 and 90 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1925.
§ 11. Mr. McKINLAYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the cost per house of type C.1, C.2, F1, F2 and F6 houses of the Glasgow Corporation, Drumoyne and Craigton schemes, respectively?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONAs the answer involves a table of figures I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. McKINLAYCan the hon. Gentleman tell us approximately what is the difference between the two schemes, without going into the figures?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThe difference between the Drumoyne scheme—the direct labour scheme—and the Craigton scheme—the private enterprise scheme—varies from about £190 a house to £279 a house in favour of the direct labour scheme.
§ Mr. McKINLAYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, in connection with the Craigton scheme, there is still an outstanding claim of £33,000 by the contractor against the Glasgow Corporation, and, in view of the fact that the houses have been occupied for a period of six years, will the Department take steps to see that this matter is closed for good and all?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThere is a claim for an amount slightly over the figure which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned by the contractor against the corporation on the private enterprise scheme, but how much of that claim will be ultimately met I am not in a position to say at present.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The cost per house of the types in question as brought out by the final measurements submitted by the Corporation of Glasgow to the Department of Health for Scotland are as follows:
228| Type. | Drumoyne. | Craigton. | ||
| £ | £ | |||
| C1 | … | … | 516 | 720 |
| C2 | … | … | 509 | 707 |
| F1 | … | … | 612 | 842 |
| F2 | … | … | 640 | 919 |
| F6 | … | … | 611 | 869 |
§ The figures given for Craigton are exclusive of a sum of £36,000 claimed by the contractors, which claim is still under consideration.