§ 75. Mr. Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the reiterated contention of associations of house-owners and house-factors in the West of Scotland that the Scottish local rating system whereby the owners are separately rated from the tenants is responsible for the inclusion of the owners' rates in the rent and the subsequent imposition of rates upon rates; to what extent is this system a prime cause of the retardation of house building in Scotland; and whether, in view of the necessity of discovering the real causes of the shortage of houses in Scotland, he will take some early opportunity of making a considered statement on the subject?
§ Mr. ElliotThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the remaining parts of the question, I doubt whether a statement such as the right hon. Gentleman has in mind would be of advantage, but I am giving the matter consideration. I do not think there is any doubt, however, that at present the main cause of the retardation in house building is the shortage of labour and, to some extent, of material.
§ Mr. JohnstonIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the principal reasons given in Scotland for the shortage of houses is the contention advanced by the associations mentioned in the question, and in view of the importance of this matter, could he or the Lord Advocate make a public statement on the matter?
§ Mr. ElliotI am giving the matter consideration.