HC Deb 15 December 1959 vol 615 cc1230-1
19. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the small Burgh of Culross has built no houses since 1949, that there is a housing list containing the names of large families, and that in one instance a man, wife, and seven children are living in one room, and have no prospects of being rehoused; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take steps to facilitate the building of at least twenty additional houses by the Scottish Special Housing Association.

Mr. Galbraith

The Scottish Special Housing Association has recently built ten houses in this very small burgh. Six of these have been provided without cost to the town council, and a further allocation of this kind would not at present be possible.

Mr. Hamilton

Why on earth not? Is the Minister aware that the case I have described in the Question is by no means exceptional? A man, his wife and seven children are living in one room and cannot get a house. This is in one of the burghs which have not built a house since 1949. This makes absolute nonsense of the earlier replies of the hon. Gentleman to Questions on this subject. It also makes nonsense of the often-made claim by the former Under-Secretary, who is now Lord Craigton, that the reason why some of the burghs have not built is that their housing needs are satisfied.

Mr. Galbraith

The hon. Member asked why more houses could not be built by the Scottish Special Housing Association. The reason is that the extension of the Association's assistance to any local authority depends on that authority's relative housing and financial need.

Hon. Members

Oh

Mr. Hamilton

Indeed, yes. If the burgh simply cannot build houses, if a penny rate brings in £12—that is the position in Culross—and therefore the local authority cannot house its people, why should not the Scottish Special Housing Association come in to relieve the incredible hardship?

Mr. Galbraith

If tomorrow the hon. Member will read my answer to his supplementary question, he will find the answer to the question which he has just asked.

Mr. Hamilton

In view of the extremely unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.