HC Deb 09 May 1950 vol 475 c176
10. Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses in Edinburgh started by private enterprise builders before the war, whose construction has not yet been completed, owing to the withholding of necessary permits and licences.

Mr. McNeil

There are 32 houses in this category.

Lieut.-Commander Hutchison

As these houses have been under construction for 12 years and are deteriorating, and in view of the small number involved, will not the right hon. Gentleman give the licences necessary to complete them before further deterioration takes place?

Mr. McNeil

As the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, I have given this matter every consideration. If the contractors responsible would offer the houses to the people who have a claim to them and at a price that they could afford, I would reconsider the matter. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Certainly; there is no point in agreeing to the building of houses if the cost renders the rent prohibitive to the people who need them. If that point is met, I will gladly reconsider the position.