HC Deb 02 May 1950 vol 474 cc1555-6
16. Sir T. Moore

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present position in regard to the unsatisfactory prefabricated houses supplied by the Orlit company at Forshill, Ayr, and other parts of Scotland; whether compensation has been requested from or paid by this company to the Scottish Special Housing Association who commissioned them; and how far rents have been demanded from the tenants who occupied them.

Mr. T. Fraser

The contractors who built Orlit houses at Ayr and Hamilton have admitted liability and are remedying the defects at no additional cost to the Association. The contractors are also being held responsible for claims by the tenants, including claims for the remission of rent. The work at Ayr is proceeding satisfactorily and that at Hamilton will begin shortly.

Sir T. Moore

But why should the local authority be compelled to demand rents for these unsatisfactory houses which they are not responsible for building; and why should the Orlit company be held irresponsible since they, after all, should have supervised the erection of the houses?

Mr. Fraser

I said in my reply that the contractors who built the houses are being held responsible.

Sir T. Moore

But they should not be.

Sir W. Darling

Is it not a fact that the Orlit company have done very satisfactory work, not only in Scotland but elsewhere, and that the Department have every reason in the main to be satisfied with the work?

Sir. T. Moore

Not in Ayr.