§ 3. Miss HORSBRUGHasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that in a housing scheme of the lower ward of Lanarkshire 60 per cent. of the houses built consisted of living room, bedroom, kitchenette, and bathroom; and whether permission will be given to extend this percentage to other areas?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)I am aware that in the scheme referred to two apartment houses to the extent stated were allowed. Section 111 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1925, prohibits the erection of houses of less than three compartments save in exceptional circumstances and, following the practice of his predecessor, my right hon. Friend has as a general rule limited the proportion of two apartment houses in a scheme to 25 per cent. While the State subsidy 187 under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, has not been reduced, the cost of houses has fallen considerably in recent years, and a three compartment house can now be erected at a price less than that formerly paid for a house of two apartments. In addition, a suitable three apartment house can be designed which will cost practically the same as the ordinary type of two apartment house and be let at a similar rent. My right hon. Friend considers therefore that encouragement should not be given to the erection of an undue proportion of two apartment houses.
§ Miss HORSBRUGHIs the Secretary of State also in favour of four apartment houses being built, or will the authorities concentrate on three apartment houses? Will he remind local authorities that the Government policy is to concentrate on small houses?
§ Mr. SKELTONThe policy of the Government is to concentrate on slum clearances and on houses which can be let at a rent suitable for the people who can afford to pay a lower rent. Our preference, therefore, is for the three apartment house wherever it is shown, and I think it is easily shown over the greater part of Scotland, that that is the house most needed.
§ Miss HORSBRUGHWill my hon. Friend inform the local authorities that more three apartment houses should be built, if possible, than four apartment houses.
§ Mr. SKELTONI do not think that the local authorities are in great doubt about that point. If my hon. Friend has any particular scheme in her mind, the matter will be settled when the scheme is brought forward to the Department. In any preliminary discussion there may be about it, opportunity will be taken to make that point clear.