HC Deb 27 November 1963 vol 685 cc251-2
2. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new permanent houses and flats were completed in Aberdeen by the local authority and by private builders, respectively, during each of the last 10 years; and if he will estimate the numbers likely to be completed in 1963 and 1964, respectively.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Michael Noble)

As the Answer involves a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Secretary of State realise that that generalised Answer is very unsatisfactory? The failure of the Government to provide dwellings for people in Aberdeen is largely due to the disparity between the Government's plans for building offices, on the one hand, and dwellings, on the other. Will the right hon. Gentleman look into that aspect of the problem with a view to ensuring that more dwellings, as distinct from offices, are provided for the people?

Mr. Noble

I think that the hon. and learned Member realises that if he tables Questions in this form this type of generalised Answer must be given. However, I am certainly delighted—and I am sure the hon. and learned Members knows it—to see that the figures for house building in Aberdeen are again rising.

Following are the figures:

THE NUMBER OF HOUSES BUILT IN ABERDEEN DURING EACH OF THE LAST TEN YEARS, WITH ESTIMATES FOR 1963 AND 1964, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
— Local Authority Scottish Special Housing Authority Private Enterprise
1953 981 104 128
1954 1,072 118 121
1955 918 166 150
1956 994 — 267
1957 763 78 162
1958 824 406 72
1959 807 66 159
1960 618 — 366
1961 538 — 237
1962 498 — 258
1963 (estimated) 520 — 280
1964 (estimated) 650 — 250