§ 56. Mr. TRAINasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the advisability of introducing legislation to apply the means test to tenants of State-subsidised houses; and whether he proposes to take any action?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)The letting of houses erected by local authorities with the aid of State subsidies is a matter within the discretion of these authorities, and my right hon. Friend cannot hold out any prospect of legislation meantime. I believe that local authorities are increasingly aware of the aspect of the housing problem referred to in the question, and I am glad to have this opportunity of emphasising how important it is that the benefits of these housing schemes should be secured to those for whom they were intended.
§ Mr. TRAINIs my hon. Friend aware of the very great dissatisfaction among the people who are paying rates in order to house people who can very well house themselves?
§ 58. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state the number and types of municipal houses 1457 in course of construction in Glasgow; and in what areas they are being built?
§ Mr. SKELTONAccording to the return made by the corporation to the Department of Health for Scotland the number of municipal houses in course of construction in Glasgow on 31st January, 1932, was 3,131. The houses are of the tenement, flatted, and cottage type of two, three, four and five apartments. I am sending the hon. Member a statement containing details of the sites where the various types of houses are being built.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is an estimated shortage in Glasgow of at least 50,000 houses, to say nothing of condemned houses, and, in view of the large amount of labour that is unemployed, would he not consider the advisability of urging the Glasgow Corporation to get a greater move on in the building of houses?
§ Mr. SKELTONA general circular was sent to Scottish local authorities en the subject of accelerating house building. With regard to the Glasgow Corporation, they have an honourable record in that direction.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the fact that in a. large number of cases poorer people are in houses which are daily and weekly being condemned as unfit or dangerous buildings, and when they are condemned great difficulty is found in housing the people, will not the hon. Gentleman again approach Glasgow to speed up that type of house?
Viscountess ASTORIf the Labour party in Scotland had not fought Lord Weir 10 years ago, would not nearly everyone have had a house by now?