Lanarkshire (Hansard, 13 May 1952)

§ 25. Miss Margaret Herbison
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the allocation of houses to Lanarkshire County Council in 1951 and 1952.

Commander Galbraith
The County Council were authorised in 1951 to build a total of 1,414 houses. In 1952 they have so far been authorised to build 1,362 houses. Further instalments will be authorised this year as they are justified by progress.

§ Miss Herbison
Is the Minister aware that many of his own friends on this local authority have been put in a very invidious position since they expected a big county like Lanarkshire would at least have its share of the 100,000 houses which his party promised to the people? Is he also aware that in a county as scattered as this, one needs to know at the beginning how many houses will be allocated for the whole area and that this county has always taken up its allocation of houses?

Commander Galbraith
As the hon. Lady knows, the local authority will get their further allocation of houses as they progress with those already given to them.

§ Mr. Patrick Maitland
Can my hon. and gallant Friend say whether it is true that Lanarkshire failed to build its allocation of houses last year?

Commander Galbraith
My hon. Friend should put that question down.

§ Miss Herbison
Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this big county must know at the beginning how many houses it is going to have so that there will be continuity in building? Is he aware that this county has an excellent record of taking up its whole quota? Is he further aware that there are miners and their families in this county living in the most insanitary conditions in what are just hovels, and will he give to the county a further allocation of houses so that it can plan accordingly?

Commander Galbraith
The county can plan ahead as fast as it likes to go, and it will have further allocation as and when we consider it is in a position to make use of it.