§ 69. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many timber houses had been authorised, and of these, how many had been completed under each of the local authorities in Scotland at the last available date; what was the position at the corresponding date a year ago; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the effect of operations under air-raid precautions and National Service schemes on the rate of production of houses in Scotland?
§ The Lord Advocate (Mr. T. M. Cooper)As the answer involves a tabu-
| Numbers of Timber Houses. | ||||||
| Local Authority. | Approved. | Completed. | ||||
| Up to 30th April, 1938. | Up to 30th April, 1939. | Up to 30th April, 1938. | Up to 30th April, 1939. | |||
| County Councils. | ||||||
| Angus | … | … | — | 4 | — | 4 |
| Ayr | … | … | 40 | 92 | 2 | 56 |
| Dunbarton | … | … | — | 90 | — | — |
| Fife | … | … | — | 40 | — | — |
| Lanark | … | … | — | 512 | — | 68 |
| Perth | … | … | — | 10 | — | — |
| West Lothian | … | … | — | 70 | — | — |
| Town Councils. | ||||||
| Aberdeen | … | … | — | 76 | — | — |
| Ayr | … | … | — | 36 | — | — |
| Dundee | … | … | — | 540 | — | 32 |
| Forres | … | … | — | 2 | — | 2 |
| Fraserburgh | … | … | — | 37 | — | — |
| Greenock | … | … | — | 100 | — | — |
| Kirkintilloch | … | … | — | 50 | — | 20 |
| Scottish Special Housing Association. | — | 650 | — | 38 | ||
| Total | … | … | 40 | 2,309 | 2 | 220 |
| With regard to the last part of the question local authorities completed a total of 6,146 houses of all types in the first four months of 1939, which exceeds the corresponding number for any previous year. |
§ 77. Mr. Dayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that on the occasion of the last housing survey in Scotland it was discovered that over 500,000 persons were living in one or two-room apartments, of which over 46 per cent. were overcrowded, he can now say what legislation the Government propose to introduce to remedy these conditions?
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Colville)I would refer the hon.
§ lar statement, I propose with the hon, and learned Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. GibsonIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the erection of 100 timber houses in Greenock is being held up for lack of timber, and will he look into the matter and do his best to expedite the erection of these houses, which are urgently required?
§ The Lord AdvocateI will do that.
§ Mr. C. WilliamsCan my right hon. and learned Friend give the answer to the last part of the question, which does not involve figures?
§ Following is the answer:
§ Member to the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1935, which relates to the special problem of overcrowding in Scotland, and to the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1938, which increased the Exchequer assistance made available for this purpose. The survey referred to was made under the former Act to ascertain the extent of the overcrowding problem.
2085§ Mr. ColvilleI am never satisfied, and there is a great deal more to be done, but the fact remains that substantial progress is being made.
§ Mr. ColvilleNo decision has been arrived at as to making a general survey, but I am in touch with the local authorities, and in a number of cases regional figures are available.
§ Mr. R. GibsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the erection of timber houses in Scotland is being held up owing to lack of material, and will he keep that fact in view?