§ 32. Mr. Kennedyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has reached any decision regarding the provision of subsidies to enable local authorities to undertake, respectively, the reconditioning of houses and the erection of houses for occupation by tenants who do not come within the scope of the Acts relating to slum-clearance or overcrowding; and whether any report is to be made avail able of the result of the conversation with representatives of the Convention of Royal Burghs in Edinburgh on 14th July?
§ Mr. ColvilleAt the meeting referred to I intimated that, while I did not minimise the case submitted by the convention, I could not at present promise to introduce the necessary legislation in view of the urgent need for making progress with slum-clearance and overcrowding work, and the difficult labour position. I promised, however, to keep the local authorities' representations fully in mind for consideration at a more opportune time.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartWill the Secretary of State bear in mind the fact that in some districts in Scotland overcrowding has been more or less overcome, and that the real problem is the one mentioned in the question?
§ Mr. ColvilleI will bear what the hon. Member says in mind.
§ 35. Mr. Allan Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of houses completed by the Scottish Special Housing Association to date; the number under construction at the pre sent time; and the number contracted for but not yet begun?
§ Mr. ColvilleAt the 30th June, 1939, 66 houses had been completed; 1,498 were under construction and 2,320 were contracted for but not yet begun.
§ Mr. R. GibsonHow many of these houses are timber houses?
§ Mr. ColvilleThe houses completed are of timber, and of the 1,498 under construction, 414 are timber and 1,084 are concrete.
§ Mr. BuchananIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the progress that is being made by this association?
§ Mr. ColvilleNo, Sir, I should like to see faster progress, and the association assure me that they have the construction of a much larger number of houses in contemplation.
§ 36. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of working-class houses for letting purposes built by private enterprise in Scotland for the last 10 years and the equivalent figures for England and Wales?
§ Mr. ColvilleThe number of working-class houses built for letting by private enterprise in Scotland since the 1st January, 1934, is 8,436. Prior to that date the number of private enterprise houses built for letting was not separately recorded. The total number of working-class houses, however, which have been built by private enterprise in Scotland from 1929 to June, 1939, is 67,400. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.