HC Deb 04 December 1951 vol 494 cc2208-10
4. Mr. Manuel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the Government's proposed 300,000 houses is to be allocated to Scotland.

Mr. J. Stuart

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 27th November to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. Ross).

Mr. Manuel

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been anxiety throughout Scotland, regarding the provision of new houses, as to the number to be allocated as between Scotland and England, and will he fight within the Cabinet to see that a larger proportion is available to Scotland because of our worse housing position in relation to the rest of the United Kingdom?

Mr. Stuart

I shall certainly do my best; but I shall have something to say on this subject later in the day.

Mr. A. Woodburn

Has the right hon. Gentleman any responsibility for what appeared to be an inspired statement in the "Scotsman" that 30,000 houses was the target in Scotland? Does the right hon. Gentleman confirm this?

Mr. Stuart

I have stated no target.

7. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arc his immediate house building plans for Scotland.

Mr. J. Stuart

I would refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to my replies of 27th November to the hon. Members for Kilmarnock (Mr. Ross) and for Woodside (Mr. W. G. Bennett).

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Rankin—Question No. 8.

Mr. Hughes

On a point of order. May I not put a supplementary to my Question, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. and learned Member was too late. I looked in his direction but he did not rise.

34. Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses he estimates will be built in Scotland in 1952; and how many of these will be privately built for sale.

Mr. J. Stuart

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my replies of 27th November to him and to the hon. Member for Woodside (Mr. W. G. Bennett).

Mr. Ross

Does that answer mean that the Secretary of State for Scotland is not prepared to make a reasonable and honest guess as to what he thinks he can do?

Mr. Stuart

I am afrad that if I made a guess it might be a dishonest one.

Mr. ROSS

Does not the Secretary of State, who I am surprised should quibble at a slight thing like that, think it rather dishonest to put forward a new policy without first going into the matter of figures and possibilities so that he can arrive at some idea of what can be done?

Mr. Stuart

I have stated more than once that the Government's desire is to increase the number of houses. That is a perfectly honest answer, and I have not endeavoured to give a figure because I really would not know what figure to give.

Mr. McNeil

While the House can quite understand the desires of the right hon. Gentleman, would he please tell us upon what estimate his announcement was based?

Mr. Stuart

It was based on the fact that we hope to increase the number of houses, and I would remind hon. Gentlemen that there is going to be a debate on the subject today.

Mr. Charles Ian Orr-Ewing

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it will give a great deal of satisfaction in this country that he has not followed the bad example of right hon. Gentlemen opposite who gave a solemn promise that 400,000 houses would be built before 1950, but who broke that promise?

Mr. Stuart

As a matter of fact I have a note of a few past pledges by right hon. Gentlemen opposite.