§ 16. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is taking any steps to check the rise in the price of materials used in house building; and whether he proposes to increase the Gov- 1565 ernment housing subsidy to meet the new position?
§ Mr. ElliotI would refer the hon. Member to the full statement I made on the question of housing subsidies in reply to his question on 23rd March and to my reply to the question asked on 13th April by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Stirling (Mr. Johnston) regarding the price of building materials.
§ Mr. MathersIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the desirability of adopting the first of these two alternatives, and does he realise that the rise in the cost of materials used in house building is causing a serious setback to house building in the county of West Lothian, where a big programme has been undertaken?
§ Mr. ElliotYes, Sir, I am aware of the desirability of adopting the first course rather than the second. As I have explained in previous answers, a rise in prices very often brings forth a larger supply of materials, and that itself checks a further rise.