§ 21. Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many forms were returned by local authorities in Scotland in response to Departmental Circular 141/1948; what action has been taken by the Department, particularly with regard to the 89,100 forms submitted by Glasgow Corporation on 9th May, 1949; and if he can now indicate the extent of the housing problem in Scotland.
Mr. McNeilAbout 252,000 forms, including 89,000 submitted by the Corporation of Glasgow, were returned by 151 local authorities. Apart from the fact that returns did not cover the whole country, examination showed that because of wide variations in the basis of local authorities' waiting lists, any estimate of housing needs based on the returns would be misleading. The Associations of Local Authorities were subsequently asked to consider making a national housing survey on uniform lines to ascertain present housing needs, but represented that for manpower reasons this would be inopportune at the present time.
§ Mr. McInnesMay I ask whether these forms were issued to all Scottish local authorities, in view of the fact that only 151 have replied, which is an exceedingly disappointing response?
Mr. McNeilMy recollection is that they were. At any rate, it is true that we did not get returns from all the authorities to whom an issue was made.