§ 42. Mr. Brooman-Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will extend the arrangements for the construction of Weir timber houses to cover two apartment houses which may be particularly suited to the needs of elderly couples.
Commander GalbraithThe size of the programme is necessarily restricted by the limitation on timber imports, and in present circumstances I cannot hold out any hope that it will be extended.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteMight not special arrangements of this kind be made to meet a number of special cases which have very little chance at the present time, and if they were made would not that relieve overcrowding elsewhere? Will my hon. and gallant Friend keep the possibility in mind?
Commander GalbraithMy hon. Friend will understand that to include a proportion of houses such as he suggests at the present, even if practicable, would lead to great delay and might increase costs.
§ Mr. A. C. ManuelIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that to a great extent our housing problem in Scotland today is caused because we have too many one and two apartment houses, and that he will only aggravate the overcrowding problem if he authorises too many two apartment houses? Is he not further aware that we have only encouraged this for single or old persons in very special circumstances?
§ 43. Mr. Brooman-Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the difference in cost and average time of construction between a Weir type four-apartment timber house and a traditional house of comparable size.
Commander GalbraithIt is not yet possible to make an actual comparison, but the Weir Corporation expect to be able to erect their timber house in less than half the time that would be required for a traditional house of similar size. The cost should compare favourably with that of a comparable brick house.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteIn view of the satisfactory assurances about speed, will my hon. and gallant Friend assure us that there is no ceiling to this programme and, in respect of progress made, will he keep the possibility under review of getting additional timber and expanding the programme?
§ 48. Mr. Gerald Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many standards of timber per house will be consumed in the manufacture of each of the standard houses to be produced by the Weir Housing Corporation of Coatbridge; and what is the cost per house, with and without erection costs.
Commander GalbraithApproximately three standards a house will be needed. The basic price for the completed house is £1,472.
§ 49. Mr. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the price quoted to him by Scandinavian suppliers, c.i.f. to an east Scottish port, for an all-timber house identical in specification to those houses now to be manufactured by the Weir Housing Corporation of Coatbridge.
Commander GalbraithNo, Sir. To publish the quotations of competitors is undesirable and might prejudice competitive tendering.
§ Mr. NabarroIs it more economical to import the completed prefabricated house, or to import the timber for it and construct the house in Scotland or elsewhere in the United Kingdom?
Commander GalbraithThe most economical method which could be adopted is that which has been adopted.