§ 64. Mr. Buchananasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has taken any steps to hasten the completion of houses now in progress of building in Glasgow and in Scotland; and the nature of any such steps.
Mr. JohnstonYes, Sir; I have taken every step in my power to secure the early completion of houses now being erected in Scotland. We provide plans and specifications to expedite preparation. We receive every week reports of outstanding labour demands by contractors, and these demands we press specially upon the Ministry of Labour.
Arrangements have been made in a limited number of appropriate cases for temporary release of building craftsmen from the N.F.S. and other Civil Defence organisations.
We have also arranged, since the spring of 1943, for every housing site being visited at least once a month by an inspector from the Department of Health, for a report upon progress.
§ Mr. BuchananWith all these steps, how can the right hon. Gentleman account for the very small number of houses that have now been built out of the thousands allocated some 12 months ago? How can he account for the terrible delay?
Mr. JohnstonYes, there is very great delay in building these houses in Scotland, but the Department of Health and the local authorities have done everything possible, with the limited supply of labour available, to expedite the building of these houses.