HC Deb 12 March 1946 vol 420 cc939-40
69. Mr. McGovern

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the names of the private building companies who have offered to build large numbers of houses in Glasgow, by orthodox methods, and the number of houses they are prepared to build; and, in view of the fact that direct labour schemes will only supply a very small part of the necessary houses, if he will accept any reasonable offer to build, so that the 80,000 claimants at Glasgow can be housed.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Buchanan)

I am not aware that any large contractors have offered to build houses by orthodox methods for the Corporation or have been invited by them to do so. With regard to the latter part of the Question, the hon. Member can rest assured that I am anxious to encourage the provision of houses in the City by every agency.

Mr. McGovern

While desiring the greatest progress possible in house building by direct labour, may I ask if the hon. Gentleman is aware that the direct labour schemes are touching only the fringe of this problem, and that the people in the Glasgow area expect houses to be built for them? Will the hon. Gentleman see that in the shortest space of time every available resource will be used in order to put up these houses as early as possible?

Mr. Buchanan

The hon. Gentleman can take it from me that for the solving of the housing problem of the City of Glasgow, which is dreadful, I will lose sight of no agency, provided that that agency is competent to fulfil its duties.

Mr. McGovern

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that direct schemes on the present plans are capable of dealing with the situation at an early date?

Mr. Buchanan

I would say that the direct labour could not by itself solve the problem. That is why I have introduced an allocation of large consignments of Weir houses to the city, and I am proposing to add to orthodox methods what might be termed unorthodox methods.

75. Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the present weekly rate of deliveries of aluminium houses in Scotland; the total number delivered; and how this compares with the original target.

Mr. Buchanan

The present weekly rate of deliveries is 14, and the total number delivered is 126, which represents an advance of 25 on the programme.

76 . Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the extent to which the Orlit house is being ordered in Scot land; and the progress that is being made in preliminary preparations for the delivery of these houses.

Mr. Buchanan

The Scottish Orlit Company are at present in negotiation with a number of local authorities as well as the Scottish Special Housing Association for the erection of some 2,700 houses in addition to 410 houses which they are building in Edinburgh. Several local authorities are also proposing to erect houses of this type. The firm's new factory at Sighthill, Edinburgh, is nearing completion and I understand that it is hoped to commence production shortly. Arrangements are well advanced for the erection of a similar factory at Paisley.