§ 30 and 31. Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he is aware that Glasgow Corporation have only received, since January, 1952, 135 applications to purchase houses at Merrylee; and since this leaves a balance of 487 houses, what action is proposed by the local authority to find purchasers;
(2) how many houses built for sale in the Merrylee scheme, Glasgow, have been completed since November, 1951; and how many have been occupied as at 1st May, 1952.
§ Mr. J. StuartAt 1st May, 146 houses had been completed at Merrylee; 28 had been sold; and the sale of 31 was being negotiated. In addition, there are eligible applicants for 76 more houses. I have asked the Corporation what their plans are for the disposal of the remaining houses.
§ Mr. McInnesWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the inability or failure of the local authorities to secure purchasers for these houses is sufficient justification for him to intervene and let the houses to the applicants on the housing waiting lists?
§ Mr. StuartThe hon. Gentleman is aware that the houses are not all completed yet, and that, as a result of the meeting, I have written to the Convenor of the Housing Committee. We are watching this matter very carefully. I have no power, of course, to intervene in local authority affairs.
§ Mr. McInnesThe right hon. Gentleman has just indicated that there are 146 houses completed. Some of them have been standing unoccupied for over six months, which is criminal in the light of today's housing shortage. Will he therefore intervene and instruct the Glasgow authority to let these houses?
§ Mr. StuartI will watch the position, but, as I have said, I have no power to order them.