§ 17. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he will make building licences more generally available for individuals who wish to build houses for owner-occupation in the scattered rural areas of Orkney and Shetland where local authorities cannot, at economic cost, meet the need for houses.
§ Mr. T. FraserSince 1947, agricultural communities have enjoyed a priority in the granting of licences and two-thirds of the applications received from Orkney and Shetland have been approved. In addition, the local authorities in these two counties qualify for the additional subsidies made available for the special purpose of enabling houses to be built in such remote areas and let at reasonable rents.
§ Mr. GrimondWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for his answer and acknowledging that some little concessions have been made, may I ask him to bear in mind that it is quite impossible for the County Council of Orkney and Shetland to provide houses except at exorbitant costs in some remote areas? Does he know that, in order to reduce costs of services, his Department are insisting that eight houses be built on each site in Shetland to meet the needs of districts where only one or two houses are required? Will he reconsider the whole matter?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ElliotMay I ask the Minister if he does not consider it most ungrateful of the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond), after supporting him in the Lobby on this policy, now to be criticising him?
§ Mr. FraserWe appreciate that the housing needs of Orkney and Shetland cannot be fully met by local authorities and that many crofters and small farmers must have the right to build houses for themselves.