§ 24. Mr. James McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of private contractors who have failed to implement their contracts with the Glasgow Corporation for the building of houses in that city during the years 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950 and 1951; and to what extent some form of penalty clause is included in such contracts.
§ Mr. J. StuartI am informed that 36 housing contracts involving 24 contractors were terminated by the Corporation from 1947 to 1951. No penalty clauses were included in these contracts.
§ Mr. McInnesWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that these figures illustrate the necessity for the inclusion of penalty clauses in housing contracts. and will he encourage local authorities in Scotland to insist on those clauses being inserted?
§ Mr. StuartThe use of a penalty clause for traditional housing is suggested in Part VI of the Scottish Housing Handbook, issued in December, 1951, and the Corporation have now adapted the Department's model penalty clause for nontraditional contracts.
§ Mr. RankinWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the figures also show that we cannot depend too much on private enterprise in solving the housing problem?