§ 27. Sir D. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses have been completed in Aberdeen in each month of 1938, including April; and the numbers estimated to be completed in the remaining months of 1938?
The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Wedderburn)As the reply involves a table of figures, I propose, with the hon. Baronet's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the reply:
Statement showing the number of houses completed by the corporation of Aberdeen during the months of January to April, 1938, and the number estimated by the corporation to be completed in each of the remaining months of the year.
Month Number of houses completed. Total January 46 February 50 March 90 April 66 252 Number of houses estimated to be completed. May 64 June 64 July 66 August 66 September 70 October 74 November 70 December 74 548 800
§ 28. Mr. Kennedyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is informed of the average housing output in Scotland and its relation to the output required to meet the present problems of overcrowding and housing shortage; and whether any steps are being taken to ensure the provision of an adequate supply of building materials to meet the shortage?
Mr. WedderburnThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by the Lord Advocate to his question of 3rd May.
§ Mr. KennedyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that answer does not show what the Government are doing in order to assure an adequate supply of materials for building, which is the main cause of tilt present housing shortage?
Mr. WedderburnThat point has been debated three or four times in the House in the last few months, and I do not think it will be possible to do justice to the subject at Question Time.
Mr. J. J. DavidsonIn the last Debate did not the Secretary of State for Scotland promise that steps would be taken further to the steps which had already been taken, and will the hon. Gentleman answer the question as to whether any further steps have been taken?
Mr. WedderburnIf the hon. Member will read the speech of my right hon. Friend on 29th March, when this subject was last debated, I think he will find a full statement on the policy which is being pursued.
§ Mr. GallacherHas the Minister taken any steps to remove the "floating factor" of £70 which bears so heavily on the building of working-class houses?