HC Deb 08 July 1958 vol 591 cc180-1
17. Mr. McInnes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the local authorities in Scotland whose contributions to their housing revenue deficit exceeds 6s. 8d. per £ of rates.

Mr. Maclay

The only information available to my Department is that contained in the local demand notes. Calculations based on this information indicate that there were ten local authorities whose housing deficits in the year 1957–58 may have involved a rate of more than 6s. 8d. in the £. I am circulating the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. McInnes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 70 out of 85 of the largest local authorities in Scotland, representing nine-tenths of the population, have increased rents to the extent of £2 million per annum but that, despite that, the deficit on their housing revenue accounts since 1952 has jumped from £2¼ million to £9 million? Does not this reveal that it is entirely due to high interest rates?

Mr. Maclay

It is quite clear from my statements in public that I believe that there is a case for increasing rents.

Following is the list: