§ 14. Sir David Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the terms of a letter dated 23rd February from the Department of Health in Edinburgh to the Caithness County Clerk intimating that landholders and other agricultural houseowners may apply for housing improvement grants under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1949, if the application is made by the landowner; and why this procedure is being followed.
§ Mr. T. FraserYes, Sir, improvement grants under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1949, are confined to owners and certain lessees, not including landholders. Landholders in the crofting counties can however get grants under Section 77 of the Agriculture (Scotland) Act, 1948.
§ Sir D. RobertsonBut why should crofters and agricultural workers who own their own homes and who wish to improve them be compelled, as they are 1555 by this letter, to regard themselves as tenants and to get their landlord to make the application? Do the hon. Gentleman and his Government want more tied houses?)
§ Mr. FraserNo. The hon. Gentleman knows that he is asking us now to amend the 1949 Act. I think that we had better let the Act run a little while to see whether the position is not a little more satisfactory than he suggests it is.
§ Sir D. RobertsonIs it not a fact that no Parliamentary legislation is required, and that all the Minister has to do is to make an administrative order which does not even require the confirmation of this House?
§ Mr. FraserThat is not true. These landholders are specifically excluded by the terms of the 1949 Act.