HC Deb 21 September 1948 vol 456 cc678-9
23. Mr. Henderson Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland upon what grounds he now refuses to permit the conversion of houses into fiats, particularly in view of the comparative ease and economy in labour, material and total cost which would accompany such conversions.

Mr. Woodburn

There is no general prohibition on the conversion of houses into fiats and the majority of such applications submitted to my Department are approved. If the hon. Member has any case in mind, perhaps he would let me have particulars.

Mr. Stewart

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this Question is put to him because I put a case to him and he turned it down though the application appeared to the local authority, myself and others as entirely reasonable, and I sought to ask why he turned it down?

Mr. Woodburn

If the hon. Member refers to his specific case, the licence has been granted, but I am not able to anticipate the date of the operation of that licence because of labour and material problems.

Commander Galbraith

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether such conversion attracts a development charge?

Mr. Woodburn

That is a different question.

Mr. Stewart

Does the right hon. Gentleman refer to the case of an application for a permit from the lady in St. Andrews?

Mr. Woodburn

Yes, and the date to commence is 1st November.