§ 1. Mr. Manuelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the reduction in Government housing subsidies per thousand four-apartment houses built by local authorities, comparing 1951 with 1962.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Michael Noble)None, Sir. The amount of subsidy paid per thousand four-apartment houses completed in the local authority financial year 1950–51 was £26,220. The figure for 1961–62 was £29,614.
§ Mr. ManuelNevertheless, is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great financial morass into which Scottish local authorities are getting because of the imposition of high interest charges on loans, even those running over the full course of 60 years? It is making it very difficult for them to tackle the outstanding housing programmes which are needed in every area in the country.
§ Mr. NobleThe difficulty which some local authorities may be getting into is, 336 to some extent, a different question, but the policy of helping by open housing subsidies and not by means of artificially low interest rates is the right one.