46. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has relating to the extent to which private and municipal house building programmes have been affected by Governmental financial policies since October, 1964.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Mr. George Willis)It is not possible to identify separately the effect of the financial aspects of the Government's policies. But the Housing Returns published yesterday show that in the first quarter of this year public authorities and private builders started 10,731 houses, the highest in any quarter since 1953.
Mr. TaylorWould not the hon. Gentleman agree that these figures have been made quite out of date because of the Government's policies since then and that this is a shockingly complacent Answer? Is he not aware that in the past few weeks several building firms have been told to reduce their working overdrafts and that the inevitable result will be fewer houses and unemployment? If he is not prepared to have regard to the 1359 voice of Scotland, as expressed in yesterday's elections—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—he will soon not be in a position to influence housing or any other policies in Scotland.
§ Mr. WillisI do not think that figures published yesterday relating to the first quarter are out of date. They are the latest figures available. Of course, I do not accept the remainder of the hon. Gentleman's question.
§ Mr. CostainDoes not the Minister agree that it is the completions of these houses and not the starts which count, and that there are twice as many council house starts shown in the programme as there are completions?
§ Mr. WillisThey all have to be finished some time, of course. I am quite content that we shall finish them in good time, and that we shall have the same good record too.