§ 29. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now issue a circular letter to local authorities on houses for ex-Regular troops, similar to the one issued by the Minister of Housing and Local Government on 8th March, 1955.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneNo, Sir. Two circulars have already been issued to local authorities on this subject, and my right hon. Friend's Department has a special arrangement with Scottish Command to take up with the local authorities concerned any individual case of difficulty.
§ Sir D. RobertsonIs it not revealed in a recent case which I brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for Scotland that the well-run Royal Burgh of Thurso has no idea at all of the special rights of Regular ex-Service men? Is he also aware that I am wholly convinced that the three burghs in my constituency know nothing about this matter? Why is he persistently asking the local authorities to read a chapter of a booklet on housing needs, plus a circular sent out in 1950, plus another circular sent out in 1953, and an Answer to a Parliamentary Question? Is that not wholly unreasonable when, in England, a short snappy circular has been issued?
§ Mr. BrowneInquiries which the Department made in 1954 confirmed that the great majority of local authorities in Scotland were giving special consideration to ex-Service men, and I am sure that my hon. Friend's statement will have further drawn the matter to the attention of his own local authority.