HC Deb 15 November 1938 vol 341 cc678-9
42. Mr. Westwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to state what progress has been made in the negotiations with the Scottish local authorities with reference to the housing subsidies to be paid after 31st December, 1938?

Mr. Colville

I would refer the hon. Member to the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Bill introduced last week.

Mr. Westwood

Am I to understand that the figures are accepted by the local authorities both in relation to the State contribution and the rate contribution for housing?

Mr. Colville

Yes, Sir. I may say that generally that is so. I shall enlarge on the matter further when the Bill is discussed in the House, but I have had consultations with the local authorities and generally they have accepted the figures and agreed that they are satisfactory.

Mr. Johnston

Do I understand that the local authorities have agreed to the abandonment of the unit grant under the 1930 Act.

Mr. Colville

The right hon. Gentleman must not draw me into a discussion now. We will have a discussion on the Bill. Generally speaking, the local authorities are in agreement with the proposals.

58. Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total sum given by way of grant in Scotland under the Housing Rural Workers Acts and also the Housing (Agri- cultural Population) Scotland Act; and how many houses in Scotland have had heavy repairs, or have been, or are being built under each Act, respectively?

Mr. Colville

Up to 30th September, 1938, 27,369 houses had been improved in Scotland under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, 1926 to 1938 and grants amounting to £2,372,984 had been paid. The figures take no account of grants promised in aid of works in progress at that date on 4,048 houses. At 12th November, 1938, grants amounting to £1,960 had been promised by local authorities under the Housing (Agricultural Population) (Scotland) Act, 1938, on five applications covering II houses and six houses were being built. Thirty-six applications covering 49 houses were under consideration. As my hon. Friend will be aware, the adoption by local authorities of schemes of assistance is a necessary preliminary to the consideration of applications for assistance and for the most part the schemes approved have not been in operation for more than a month.