§ 36. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses have been condemned as unfit for human habitation at the village of Benwhat, Ayrshire.
§ Mr. WoodburnI am informed that demolition orders have been made in respect of seven of the houses in this village.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that this is a coalmining village and has been condemned as unfit for human habitation; and could he stimulate his Department to erect more houses in this area?
§ Mr. WoodburnYes, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreIs this not symbolic of many other small towns and villages in Ayrshire?
§ Mr. WoodburnYes, Sir, the country is peppered with the tragedies of the neglect of the last 50 years.
§ Sir T. MooreCould you advise me, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, as to when I may put a Question to the Government with the assurance that I shall get a reply accepting any responsibility for the Government of today?
§ 37. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now consider purchasing a further quantity of Swedish houses for erection in rural areas in the lowlands of Scotland.
§ Mr. WoodburnNo, Sir. The building industry in Scotland is showing signs of reaching the point where it can undertake more work, and it is desirable that its labour and materials should be made full use of.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that the local authorities in the South of Scotland are very anxious to get more Swedish houses, and that some of these houses are at least £500 cheaper than other houses?
§ Mr. WoodburnYes, Sir, but I am glad to say that the position about prices is improving in Scotland. It is essential to see that our own labour is occupied before we bring in material from elsewhere.
Mr. Thomton-KemsleyIs the Secretary of State aware, arising from his last answer, that at least one local authority in Scotland is refusing to accept its allocation of Swedish houses because they cost about £950 each as compared with £1,600 for a more satisfactory type of traditional house?