HC Deb 04 December 1951 vol 494 c2216
26. Mr. Oswald

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take powers to ensure that houses built for sale under the new arrangements will be allocated, according to the priorities of local authority lists.

Mr. J. Stuart

I have asked local authorities to give special consideration in the issue of licences to people on their waiting list and to others who can show an urgent housing need. I must leave it to them, however, to judge the merits of individual applications.

Mr. Woodburn

If a local authority does not take his advice, has the right hon. Gentleman any power to deal with it?

Mr. Stuart

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, the number they can allow by private building is limited, and we must also see, and will endeavour to see, that those who are most urgently in need of housing are considered first. I have no reason to suppose that the local authority will not carry out this policy, though, of course, if there are unforeseen difficulties, we shall have to consider the matter.