§ 14. Mr. Galbraithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he intends taking to encourage the growth of private house building.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonThrough the local authorities and the Land Commission we are trying to make more land available. We are continuing even closer consultations between the construction industry and the Scottish Office using the working party comprising representatives of the Scottish Association of Registered Housebuilders and the Scottish Development Department. Above all, we must build up the prosperity of Scotland so that far more people feel able to buy their own houses.
§ Mr. GalbraithDoes the Minister of State agree that the real reason is, not so much the lack of land, as the unreasonably low rents of local authority houses, which make rates so high on private houses? If this is not the reason, can he explain why proportionately such a vastly greater number of private houses are built in England and Wales? Wales is not any richer than Scotland. There must be some reason.
§ Dr. MabonThe Welsh do not pay so much for their houses. There are other points. Other comments could be made. It is wrong to fasten on one reason as there are many. The builders have agreed with us that action to counter the lack of availibility of land might help. We are tackling this task with some energy.
§ Mr. ManuelDoes not the Minister of State agree that one of the reasons for rates being higher in Scotland is that industry is still derated by 50 per cent.? Is my hon. Friend further aware that I am not arguing that the rate burden on industry should be increased? Hon. Members opposite should remember that 1332 the rate burden must be borne by other people when industry is derated.
§ Dr. MabonThere are a number of points which we could debate for some time on this issue. To answer the question simply, I am aware that this is the impression. I do not know whether factually it is correct.