HC Deb 14 July 1959 vol 609 cc198-9
27. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked 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. Maclay

At the end of last week, 23 Association houses were vacant, the average period of vacancy being fifteen weeks.

Mr. Maitland

Does 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-lay

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is doing everything he can to interest industrialists in the possibilities of Douglas.