HC Deb 11 April 1933 vol 276 cc2346-7
7. Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, to encourage the building of houses by private enterprise, he will consider recommending to local authorities in Scotland increased co-operation with building societies, especially as A result of the Government guarantee'?

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

It is my right hon. Friend's intention to issue a circular to local authorities in Scotland containing recommendations on the lines suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend if and when the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Bill becomes law. I may add that my right hon. Friend is anxious to give the very widest publicity to the provisions to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and is considering what means beyond such a circular will best effect this object.

4. Mr. KIRKWOOD (for Mr. NEIL MACLEAN)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of houses at 31st March, 1933, or nearest possible date, which have been completed since 1919 under the various State-assisted schemes by local authorities and by private enterprise, respectively; the total number of houses completed in the same period by unassisted private enterprise; and the number of local authorities houses which have been provided under slum-clearance schemes?

Mr. SKELTON

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

Following is the answer:

During the period from 1919 to the 28th February, 1933, the latest date for which information is available, 111,336 houses were completed under State-assisted schemes by local authorities in Scotland and 31,897 by private enterprise. In addition 2,552 steel houses were completed in that period by the Second Scottish National Housing Company. The number of houses completed by unassisted private enterprise between 1919 and the 31st December, 1932, the latest date for which information is available, is 20,904. As regards the last part of the question, 20,356 of the local authority houses already mentioned were provided with State assistance under the provisions of Sub-section 3 of Section 1 of the Housing, etc., Act, 1923, and under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, for the replacement of unfit houses.