§ 48. Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will institute an inquiry into why Cumbernauld New Town Corporation has only built an average of 276 houses per annum since the new town was designated in 1956; and if he will indicate to the new tows corporation that this output is making little contribution to Glasgow's overspill of 100,000 families.
§ Mr. NobleNo, Sir. The development corporation is surmounting the difficulties which delayed progress in its early years, and output is rising steadily. In 1962, 556 houses were completed, and 1,279 houses are at present under construction.
§ Mr. McInnesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that even the increased output reached recently will in no way help to solve the enormous problem of the overspill of 100,000 families? Five hundred houses per annum are not enough. We want 5,000.
§ Mr. NobleWe certainly need more than 500, and this year we shall get them; but I am not satisfied, nor is the development corporation, even with the existing speed-up. We aim to do much better in future.
§ Mr. BenceIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that not only do we want a faster rate of house building in Cumbernauld New Town, but we want some new industries as well or it will be a dormitory town only?