§ 24. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the resolution passed at a conference of local authorities in Clydebank on 20th March, a copy of which has been sent him by the hon. Member for West Fife, regarding rents charged on houses built by the Scottish Special Housing Association; and whether he will consider increasing the subsidy to the Association so that rents for these houses may be kept down at the same level as local authority houses.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Woodburn)I have received the resolution referred to, but I do not propose that the Scottish Special Housing Association should be granted more favourable rates of housing subsidy than local authorities.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Secretary of State aware of the fact that the general policy on housing was that houses should be let to the poorest families; and that now the Scottish Housing Association is using its position to cut across that policy and in many cases to disturb the points scheme by letting houses not on the basis of need but on the basis of ability to pay? Is the right hon. Gentleman not going to do anything about it?
§ Mr. WoodburnThat is a matter that can hardly be discussed by Question and answer.