§ 27. Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the Scottish Special Housing Association houses at Douglas, in respect of the construction of which the Exchequer bears an annual burden of £11,500, are now unoccupied; and for how long this has been so.
§ Mr. MaclayAt the end of last week, 23 Association houses were vacant, the 199 average period of vacancy being fifteen weeks.
§ Mr. MaitlandDoes not this represent a rather considerable debt burden, which is unproductive and unused? Is my right hon. Friend still doing everything he can to have the availability of these houses brought to the attention of industrialists and others in the hope of persuading industry to come to Douglas?
Mr. Mac-layMy right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is doing everything he can to interest industrialists in the possibilities of Douglas.