HC Deb 12 July 1960 vol 626 cc1147-8
4. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will name the local authorities, other than small burghs, which are currently not building houses; and whether he will ascertain the reasons for this lack of activity.

17. Mr. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the names of the nine local authorities, apart from the small burghs, which were not building any houses at May, 1960.

Mr. Maclay

At the end of May one of the 24 large burghs, viz., Port Glasgow and 8 of the 33 counties, viz., Berwick, Kincardine, Kinross, Orkney, Peebles, Roxburgh, Selkirk and Wigtown, had no local authority houses under construction. Six of these authorities I understand, consider that their urgent needs are met or largely met, but some of them contemplate providing further houses from time to time as required. The other three authorities, Port Glasgow and Kincardine and Wigtown Counties, have expressed concern about subsidies and interest rates but are I understand now considering proposals for further building.

Mr. Hamilton

What exactly does the right hon. Gentleman mean when he says that the urgent needs are "met or largely met"? What is meant by that phrase? Can he say whether any local authorities have made representations to him about the likely effect of further restrictive measures which have been imposed since the figures for local authority building were given a week or two ago?

Mr. Maclay

The hon. Gentleman will understand that the words "met or largely met" are very clear and are the kind of brief expression which it is necessary to use in answer to Questions. He does not need any explanation of those words from me. I will have to examine the latter part of his supplementary question to see whether any representations on this subject have been made to me in the last week.

Mr. Ross

Is it not a sad reflection on the policy of the Government and the Secretary of State for Scotland when local authorities from those Tory areas which the right hon. Gentleman mentioned are blaming him for their complete failure to carry on with the house building required? What does he intend to do to change that policy and stimulate the building of the houses which the public requires throughout Scotland?

Mr. Maclay

They are not blaming me. They have raised questions about interest rates. We have had many discussions on that subject, as the hon. Gentleman knows.

Mr. Ross

Yes, but they are not building the houses which are needed. What is the right hon. Gentleman doing about that?

Mr. Maclay

The hon. Gentleman knows that we have debated this subject in Committee and that I have answered many questions about rates of interest, which are only a relatively small element in this matter.

Mr. T. Fraser

Does not what the right hon. Gentleman has said conclusively show that local authorities have cut back, or, in some cases, discontinued building houses because of the high cost of providing them? In those circumstances, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to have the matter reviewed in view of the urgent need for many more houses in Scotland?

Mr. Maclay

I have said very often that local authorities in general should have no difficulty about continuing to build houses if they pool the subsidies they receive and charge reasonable rents.