HC Deb 27 April 1948 vol 450 cc193-4
25. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he has refused to sanction the request of Cumnock Town Council for wooden floors in certain rooms in its new housing scheme, in view of the fact that the plans show economy of timber in other respects.

Mr. Woodburn

In view of the continuing need to save timber, the use of concrete for the ground floors of new houses must still be regarded as the basic economy, and any further savings which local authorities are able to make must be additional to this.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Could not the Secretary of State be a little more imaginative in dealing with this problem because the local authority guarantees to save timber in other directions?

Mr. Woodburn

The more timber a local authority can save on these houses the more houses will be built for other people elsewhere by the use of that timber.