§ 39. Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will inquire into a reply by his Department of Health last 9th January to a request made last 19th November by the Lanarkshire County Council for permission to build a limited number of houses with stone fronts at an extra cost 1255 of £91 each, but with a saving of 5 per cent. in the number of bricks required; and whether he will reconsider the discouraging reply which was sent.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe Department actually agreed to the County Council's proposal, but if my hon. Friend will let me know in what respect he thinks the reply should be reconsidered, I shall have the matter examined.
§ Mr. MaitlandMay I draw the attention of the Secretary of State to—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]
§ 40. Mr. P. Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will instruct the Department of Health to prepare plans for the increased use of stone in housebuilding, particularly by means of standard-sized blocks cut at the quarry, and by designing housing types which use stone for load-bearing to permit the use of cheap materials for those parts of the building which are free from stress.
§ Mr. J. StuartAs a rule local authorities prefer to prepare their own plans, but I am passing my hon. Friend's suggestion as to standardisation to the Building Materials Committee of the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) who are now considering how stone building in Scotland can be increased.
§ Mr. MaitlandMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that encouragement given to the quarrying industry will attract labour and possibly result in a speedier development of that side of the housebuilding programme?
§ Mr. StuartI can assure my hon. Friend that I would very much like to see more stone building carried out. It is a matter of cost, time, and so on, but I would like to encourage it in every way I can.