HC Deb 11 March 1930 vol 236 cc1080-2
14. Mr. MACQUISTEN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the town councils of Scottish cities and, in particular, the Town Council of Glasgow have used exclusively Scottish slates in their housing schemes during the last two years; and, if not, from what country or countries were the slates used derived and in what quantities?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Johnston)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The particulars desired in the latter part are not available for all Scottish cities, but I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a tabular statement showing, as regards the four principal towns, information that has been obtained in respect of housing contracts entered into during the last 10 years.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that quite recently the Glasgow Corporation bought 5,000 tons of slates from an Irish quarry; is there any difference in cost between the Scottish and the Irish slates; and are not the Scottish slates the more durable?

Mr. JOHNSTON

Statements have been made to the effect that the Corporation of Glasgow have given an order for some such figure as the hon. and learned Member has mentioned. My information is that Scottish slates are more durable than the Irish slates.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Are not the Cornish ones better still?

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the agent of the Irish quarry is a member of the Glasgow Town Council, and that he stated that they were not as good slates?

Following is the tabular statement:

Slates
Town. Country of Production. Number.
Glasgow Welsh 3,797,375
Scottish 3,788,125
English 39,750
Irish 488,500
Norwegian 39,750
Edinburgh Welsh 1,664,600
Scottish 43,950
English 456,850
Dundee Welsh 339,000
(Fleming Trust Scheme) Norwegian 336,000
Aberdeen Welsh 1,041,300

19. Mr. HARDIE

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether all the councils in Dumbartonshire are specifying British doors for their housing schemes?

Mr. JOHNSTON

I am informed that in several housing schemes in Dumbartonshire foreign-made doors were specified, but I have drawn the attention of the local authorities concerned to the circular which my Department issued on 23rd December last regarding the desirability of making use, to the utmost extent practicable, of goods and materials of home production, and I hope that this will lead the local authorities concerned to consider revising their practice.

Mr. HARDIE

Was it the local authorities' specification or that of the contractors sending in estimates?

Mr. JOHNSTON

I understand that in some of the schedules foreign-made doors were actually specified.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

When is the inquiry into various irregularities in Glasgow going to be embarked upon?

Mr. JOHNSTON

This question has nothing to do with that matter.