§ 35. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now state the number of houses completed in Scotland from 1st January, 1940, to the last available date; how many houses are still under construction; and what were the comparable figures for a year ago?
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Colville)Apart from houses built by private enterprise for which no figures are yet available this year, the number of houses completed between 1st January and 31st March, 1940, was 2,572 as compared with 4,529 in the same quarter last year. The number of houses at various stages of construction was 22,065 as compared with 27,509 at 31st March, 1939.
§ Mr. GibsonIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the progress which has 1030 been made and does he realise the need for special attention being given to housing in the future?
§ Mr. ColvilleConsidering the weather during that quarter and the difficulty of securing an adequate supply of timber I think fairly good progress has been made, but I will bear in mind what the hon. and learned Member has said.