§ 20. Mrs. Mannasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that all local authorities in Scotland are proceeding with their housing programme with all possible speed; if he has any progress reports on house building at its various stages within each local authority's ambit; and if he would consider appointing progress officers and issuing progress reports.
Mr. McNeilWe cannot, as my hon. Friend knows, afford to be satisfied until further substantial inroads have been made into Scottish housing needs. Housing schemes are visited regularly by officers of my Department who report on the progress being made. The position in each district is published in the quarterly Housing Return.
Commander GalbraithCould not the progress report be made by the local authority instead of the right hon. Gentleman employing additional officials for that purpose?
Mr. McNeilI have looked at both points. The staff which is employed for this purpose is not large and is based locally and I think that, all in all, the small staff thoroughly justify their existence.