Housing Programme (Hansard, 25 April 1950)

§ 20. Mr. Emrys Hughes
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how the new proposals on housing will affect the progress of housing in Scotland.

Mr. McNeil
Housing progress depends on several things, including the supply of labour and materials available from time to time. But subject to this, the restoration of the recent cut in housing expenditure will enable local authorities in Scotland to plan for an increase in the housing programme to the level of about 27,500 houses for 1952.

§ Mr. Hughes
Can we take it that the suggestion that there should be a greater number of three-apartment houses is now to be withdrawn?

Mr. McNeil
I should be glad to consider any submissions on the subject, but I have not come to that conclusion.

Commander Galbraith
Have local authorities been advised that they can proceed now to plan for an additional number of houses and of the number for which they may plan?

Mr. McNeil
No, Sir. The hon. and gallant Gentleman will remember that it is only a few weeks since I made the last allocation. The number here, while quite substantial and very welcome, is not very great, but I shall be discussing the subject further with the local authorities.

§ Mr. Hoy
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the demand for a greater number of three-apartment houses came from the local authorities themselves?

Mr. McNeil
In many areas, particularly industrial areas, that was the case.

§ 34. Mr. Hoy
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses in Edinburgh under construction at 31st March, 1950; the number of houses in the 1950 programme not yet begun; and the number of houses allocated for 1951.

Mr. McNeil
At 31st March the Corporation had 860 houses under construction: the number of houses in their 1950 programme of 1,200 houses on which work had not begun was 953 but it is proper to add that originally part of the Edinburgh allocation of 1,200 houses was phased to begin in the second and third quarters of this year. It was only at the beginning of the year that the Corporation were told that they could bring forward the starting of these houses if they wished. The allocation recently made to the Corporation for 1951 was 1,600.

§ Mr. Hoy
With reference to the last part of the reply, may we have an assurance that the Corporation will have a labour force sufficient not only to complete the houses not yet begun, but the new allocation which they have received?

Mr. McNeil
Obviously I cannot give assurances of that kind. I will give every assistance I can to any local authority, but the job lies between the local authority and the contractors.