§ 13. Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement about changes in green belt policy; and what effect he estimates that the rising price of land in urban areas will have on housing policy.
§ Mr. MaclayI have no intention of departing from the policy of establishing 1154 and maintaining green belts, which I reaffirmed recently in a circular to local planning authorities of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The housing policy of the local authorities is governed by many factors and I would not expect it to be much influenced by the cost of land, which in Scotland is still a relatively small part of total capital costs.
§ Mr. McInnesI am glad that the right hon. Gentleman has decided not to depart from his policy in regard to green belts, but does he not realise that the scarcity of land has been created by the speculators purchasing land three, four and five years ahead of time? Is he not aware that that necessarily involves an increase in land values, and that in Glasgow, with 130,000 people on the waiting list, we have not a single site on. which to build a house?
§ Mr. MaclayI am not yet convinced that what the hon. Member has said has been a serious factor in cost. I know the hon. Member's view about the Glasgow position.