5. Mr. Mclnnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the total number of families who have been exported from Glasgow since January, 1958, under overspill agreements; and if he will indicate the number of firms who have moved from Glasgow into overspill reception areas since January 1958.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. G. D. Galbraith)Between 1st January, 1958, and 31st March, 1962, 4,781 families and 33 firms moved from Glasgow into overspill receiving areas. In addition, 12 other Glasgow firms set up extensions in these areas.
Mr. MclnnesIs the hon. Gentleman aware that at the present rate of progress which these figures reveal it will take 25 years to solve the tremendous problem of Glasgow's overspill? What is he to do to accelerate matters, as the position is extremely serious?
§ Mr. GalbraithI agree with the hon. Member's arithmetic, but we expect that the number of houses being built will increase. Over the last three years, the average has been about 1,500, but this year we expect it to be 2,000. With the new towns, particularly Cumbernauld and the fourth new town, to say nothing of the industrial developments of Rootes and B.M.C., we expect that the number of houses will increase considerably.
§ Miss HerbisonBut by this time far more houses should have been provided for Glasgow's overspill in the new towns and overspill areas. Does not the hon. Gentleman appreciate that his Department must do something urgently to try to give even a little help in dealing with this great curse of Glasgow's housing position?
§ Mr. GalbraithWhat is wanted is to create the right economic climate of growth, and I think that the industrial developments which I have mentioned are doing just that.