HC Deb 23 June 1937 vol 325 cc1198-200
65. Mr. Westwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make any statement about the negotiations with the building industry regarding the possibility of increasing the available supply of labour?

The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Wedderburn)

I would refer to the reply given yesterday to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers).

Mr. Westwood

Is it not possible to speed up these negotiations, in view of the serious situation as regards housing in Scotland?

Mr. Wedderburn

I am naturally most anxious to expedite them. As my right hon. Friend said yesterday, a decision in principle was arrived at on Saturday, but the details have not yet been settled.

66. Mr. Westwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the names of the local authorities of Scotland who, up to Monday, 14th June, proposed to postpone further housing developments because of the rising costs and need of increased housing grants; and whether he and the Department of Health have received any other intimations to the same effect since that date?

Mr. Wedderburn

The local authorities who, up to Monday, 14th June, had indicated that they proposed to postpone further housing developments are the County Councils of Kinross and Lanark and the Town Councils of Fortrose, Grantown-on-Spey, Kilrenny, Lochgelly, Markinch and Stranraer. Since that date intimations have been received from two further local authorities namely, Elie and Kirkcaldy Town Councils, that housing developments are being postponed.

Mr. Westwood

In view of that serious situation, are not the Government prepared now to do something either to control the rise in prices or to provide a better subsidy to enable local authorities to go on with their building programme?

Mr. Wedderburn

There has been no uniform rise in prices, but a heavy rise has taken place in those parts of the industrial belt where the pressure of work is most heavy and the shortage of labour most acute. In other parts of Scotland, as in England, the rise has been comparatively small.

Mr. Buchanan

Is the Under-Secretary aware that between disappointed local authorities deciding not to build and the Government taking no action, there lies a host of unfortunate people who cannot be housed decently; and will he take steps to see that both the local authorities and the Government act in this matter?

Mr. Wedderburn

We are taking all the steps that we can take. In some areas, of course, there has been a rise in prices, and also a shortage of labour, which makes it difficult for the local authorities to carry out their duties.

Mr. Westwood

One of the steps demanded by the local authorities is an increased contribution which it is within the hon. Member's power to make. Why does he not do it?

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