HC Deb 17 June 1964 vol 696 cc1256-7
2. Mr. Clark Hutchison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in slum clearance in Edinburgh since 1959.

Mr. Noble

About 3,600 unfit houses have been closed or demolished since the beginning of 1959 up to the end of March of this year.

Mr. Hutchison

In welcoming this advance, may I ask my right hon. Friend what further progress might be expected? Can he tell the House that it is not lack of funds which is holding things up? Is it, perhaps, a shortage in the building force?

Mr. Noble

The position, I understand, is that Edinburgh Corporation has a number of schemes on hand and is ready to go forward with them. This should certainly increase the rate of clearance. I am not aware of any shortage of funds, although I know, as do other hon. Members, that there are shortages of certain skills in the building trade.

Mr. Willis

Is the Secretary of State aware that Edinburgh Corporation has the worst housing record of any of the large towns and that, under the Tory Government, a Tory town council has not been able to reach even its own inadequate targets?

Mr. Noble

I am sure that we all hope that Edinburgh Town Council will catch up.