§ 13. Mr. McKinlayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is taking steps to ensure that there will be at least a limited house-building programme in Scotland during the current year?
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. Johnston)The shortage of labour and materials makes it impossible to embark on any substantial housing programme at the present time, but I am taking two steps to ease the acute housing position in Scotland. In the first place, I am making special arrangements for expediting the completion of the houses, numbering about 5,000, which local authorities have at present under construction. Secondly, I am making preliminary arrangements for the provision of a limited number of new houses by local authorities. Plans are being prepared on the basis of 1,000 new houses, but the number that it will be possible to build during the current year will depend on from other work of vital importance to 1150 the war effort. The bulk of the new houses will be provided on Clydeside, but some of them Will be built in the rural areas in which houses are most urgently required in the interests of food production.
§ Mr. McKinlayDo I take it that due regard will be paid to industrial areas which have suffered bomb damage?
§ Mr. JohnstonYes, Sir.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartAs the Minister of Health was able to announce the number of rural houses in England, can my right hon. Friend give the number in Scotland?
§ Mr. JohnstonThat is under discussion with the local authorities concerned.
Mr. McNeilWhere the right hon. Gentleman has already sanctioned the completion of partially constructed houses, will this prejudice local authorities in the allocation of new houses where there is serious bomb damage?
§ Mr. JohnstonThe two things have no necessary co-relation.