HOUSING.

HC Deb 19 May 1931 vol 252 cc1761-3

30. Mr. BOOTHBY

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of State-aided houses completed in Scotland during the years 192V, 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931, respectively?

Mr. WESTWOOD

As the answer involves a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. BOOTHBY

Can the Under-Secretary say whether more houses were built under the administration of the present Government than under the administration of the previous Government?

Following is the answer:

The numbers of State-aided houses completed in Scotland during each of the years in question were as follows:

• 1927–20,158 houses (including 1,110 Government steel houses).
• 1928–18,096 houses (including 324 Government steel houses).
• 1929–18,240 houses.
• 1930–11,056 houses.
• 1931 (to 31st March)–1,911 houses.

Tenders have been approved up to 16th May for 3,843 houses, and pressure is being exercised by conference and otherwise on all local authorities to secure an expansion of the housing programme.

31. Mr. SINKINS0N

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the county councils and burgh authorities of Berwickshire and East Lothian, respectively, have exercised their powers under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926?

Mr. WESTW00D

Under the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926, as at 31st March last, the County Council of Berwickshire had granted certificates for the improvement of 535 houses. Work had been completed on 361 and was in progress on 12 of these houses. For the County Council of East Lothian the corresponding figures are 1,039, 757 and 250. No town council in either county has adopted a scheme under the Act.

32. Mr. SINKINS0N

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the county council and burgh authorities of Berwickshire and East Lothian, respectively, have submitted information in terms of Section 22 (2) of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930; and can he say what the information is?

Mr. WESTW00D

The county councils of Berwickshire and of East Lothian and the town councils of all the burghs in these counties have submitted general statements as required by Sub-section (2) of Section 22 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930. These statements show that during the next three years the local authorities concerned propose to provide 705 houses. I am sending to my hon. Friend a statement showing the proposals of each local authority.