HC Deb 09 May 1950 vol 475 cc191-2
37 and 38. Mr. Niall Macpherson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he will publish the list of those local authorities to whom he has offered additional houses for industrial workers, indicating in each case the number of houses offered and the number so far accepted;

(2) what are the terms and conditions of his offer of additional industrial houses to certain local authorities.

Mr. McNeil

Since the answer necessarily involves a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The houses were offered on the understanding that they would be made available to employees of firms recommended to the local authorities by the Board of Trade.

Mr. Macpherson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say to whom firms who are in need of such allocations should make application at the present time? Is that in the answer?

Mr. McNeil

No, it is not. I think it should be made to the President of the Board of Trade, but I shall be very glad to look at the point and to communicate with the hon. Gentleman.

Sir Herbert Williams

If these people leave the employment of the firms concerned, will they lose their houses?

Mr. McNeil

If these people leave the area, like anyone else——

Sir H. Williams

I said—if they leave their employment.

Mr. McNeil

If these gentlemen leave the area, they will, like anyone else—[Interruption.]—they will, like anyone else, forfeit their houses, but any other variation upon that standard practice will be a decision for the local authority.

Sir H. Williams

What if they leave their employment?

Mr. McNeil

That is a variation and therefore a matter for the local authority.

Mr. Osborne

Will these people live in tied cottages?

Mr. McNeil

They do not live in tied cottages. They live in houses which they rent.

Following are the figures:

Dumfries Burgh … … 100 *
Kirkcaldy … … 30
Glenrothes New Town … 30 *
Hamilton … … 50
Falkirk … 40
Hawick … … 24
Jedburgh … … 16
Galashiels … … 16
Innerleithen … … 16
Inverness County:—
Coal, Fort William … … 50 *
Kinlochleven … … 30 *
… … 402
* The allocations, marked with an asterisk have been accepted by the authorities concerned. The others were intimated only on 5th May. Certain further allocations are under consideration.