9. Mr. McKieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how he proposes to accelerate the building of houses in the county of Wigtown and Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.
§ Mr. T. FraserThe local building Industry is fully engaged at the moment and it is my right hon. Friend's intention to allocate additional houses to keep it fully engaged.
Mr. McKieWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for the information he has given, may I ask if he is aware that a great blow has been dealt to rural housing in both these counties by the withdrawal of the rural housing grants and if he will convey to the Secretary of State for Scotland the desirability of reintroducing these grants at the earliest possible moment so that we may make progress in the better housing of the rural population?
§ Mr. FraserI do not agree that such a very serious blow has been dealt to this area. If one compares the number of houses built when the Act was on the Statute Book and in operation with the number of houses now under construction and completed since the war, it will be found that we have done better since the Act has been in operation.