§ 36. Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, for purposes of comparison, he will state the total annual charges debited to the housing revenue account of a local authority in respect of a four-apartment house built and provided with money borrowed from 1241 the Public Works Loan Board for sixty years as at August. 1951, and August, 1959.
§ Mr. GalbraithThe total annual charges based on the average cost of construction, including land, services and fees, of a four-apartment house as at August, 1951, and August, 1959, are £54 19s. 2d. and £111 17s. 10d.
§ Mr. McInnesThese are very illuminating figures. Is the hon. Member a ware that the cost over sixty years has risen from £3,200 to £7,600? Is not he ashamed of these figures? Do not they indicate that the Government's policy is compelling local authorities to stop house building in Scotland?
§ Mr. GalbraithThe hon. Member has been plugging away at this point for some time.
§ Mr. ManuelNo wonder.
§ Mr. GalbraithI do not think that it is profitable to discuss the Government's policy for financing local authority house building by means of Question and Answer.
§ Mr. McInnesOn a point of order. As the hon. Gentleman desires to debate this subject, and because of the unsatisfactory reply, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.