§ 14. Mr. KENNETH LINDSAYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he has made to give local authorities in Scotland increased expert assistance in the preparation and carrying out of their housing schemes, with a view to the acceleration of progress in the erection of houses for the working classes?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)With a view to the acceleration of housing progress my right hon. Friend has augmented the staff of the Department of Health by the appointment of additional administrative and technical officers, charged with the duty of visiting the various localities and of giving every possible assistance to local authorities in the preparation and carrying out of their housing schemes. Material help has in this way been afforded to several local authorities who have already been visited, and my right hon. Friend trusts that the fullest advantage will be taken of the services of these officers by local authorities as a whole in the interests of the expeditious realisation of housing programmes.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEHave surplus officers been taken from another De- 162 partment for this purpose, or will officers be specially engaged?
§ Mr. SKELTONTwo technical officers have been specially engaged, and two administrative officers have come from other branches.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill they be located in Edinburgh?
§ Mr. SKELTONTheir headquarters will be the Department of Health in Edinburgh, but their activities will be peripatetic.