19. Mr. J. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses the Scottish Special Housing Association have built in Scotland to date; and what is their future programme.
§ Mr. MaclayAt 31st March last, the total number of houses built and owned by the Association was 45,156, and at the same date 2,299 houses were under construction or about to start. In terms of tenders approved the provisional programme for each of the years to March 1961 and 1962 is 2,000 houses. Beyond that, I cannot forecast.
Mr. HillDoes the Secretary of State not consider that this Association, which was set up originally to build houses for transferred miners and agricultural workers, has now fulfilled its obligations? Is he aware that the money that is being used by the Association should be channelled into the local authorities to allow them to do the job that they were elected to do, namely, build houses for the people?
§ Mr. MaclayI do not think the hon. Member is quite correct about the original purpose of the Scottish Special Housing Association. I should be glad to write to him about that. I am sure that any hon. or right hon. Member who has been concerned with housing in Scotland will recognise that the Association can be a useful body in meeting Scotland's housing needs.