HC Deb 06 May 1952 vol 500 cc178-80
19. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, since his plans to import Swedish prefabricated houses have been frustrated by the general exchange difficulties of the European Payments Union to which Sweden belongs, he will continue to explore the possibility of importing such houses from countries within the sterling area to hasten the Scottish housing programme.

Mr. J. Stuart

I am not aware of any source of supply of the kind my hon. Friend has in mind. I shall be glad to consider any particulars he cares to give me.

Mr. Maitland

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that the term "hardwood" which normally applies to wood available in the Commonwealth is, from the carpentry point of view, soft? Is he aware that there are great quantities of timber available in countries I can specify and that there are great possibilities of developing that trade and industry?

Mr. Stuart

We have considered that.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is the Secretary of State aware that there is considerable unemployment in the prefabricated housebuilding industry in Finland? Will he see whether he can obtain prefabricated wooden houses from Finland to help our housing drive?

Mr. Stuart

When, originally, we thought of importing prefabricated houses, it was urged that we should build them in this country and that is now being done.

Mrs. Mann

Has the right hon. Gentleman any intention of withdrawing the contract already placed with the Coat-bridge firm for these houses? Is it not the case that they are better houses at lower prices than he can obtain in the sterling area, which is now almost as difficult as the dollar area?

Mr. Stuart

I have no intention of withdrawing the contract.

26. Lady Tweedsmuir

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what number of prefabricated timber houses are expected to be completed in Scotland by the end of 1953.

Mr. J. Stuart

The aim is to complete the whole programme of 3,000 houses by the end of 1953.

Lady Tweedsmuir

Will the Secretary of State impress upon the Treasury the desirability of being able to import prefabricated houses from Sweden? Is he not aware that prefabrication in this country will take away labour from the general housing programme?

Mr. Stuart

I am in a difficulty over this. At one time we did intend to import, and we were pressed to build in this country; but I shall be very glad to consider what is the best course to adopt in the future.

Mrs. Mann

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason why we should employ Swedish workers when there are unemployed workers in Coatbridge, or why the Treasury should pay more for these houses when we could get them cheaper and better from the Coatbridge factory?

Mr. Brooman-White

Is it not still broadly true to say that the housing problem in Scotland is, proportionately, about six times worse than in the rest of the country and, if that is so, will my right hon. Friend keep it very much before his colleagues when any possibility presents itself of extending this programme by any possible means?

Lady Tweedsmuir

Is the Secretary of State satisfied that to allow the firm at Coatbridge to undertake the entire programme is the best means of quickly carrying out this programme? Would it not be better to have various firms in different regions of Scotland prefabricating on the spot?

Mr. Stuart

I am afraid that that would add to the cost.