HC Deb 03 July 1968 vol 767 cc1484-5
20. Mr. G. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking on the Kay Committee's Report on the allocation of local authority houses.

Dr. Mabon

The Scottish Housing Advisory Committee has recently considered strong local authority objections to detailed Government control of allocation schemes, and has recommended my right hon. Friend to proceed by issuing advice to local authorities about the policy they should adopt in future. He has accepted this recommendation, and a circular wil go out as soon as possible.

Mr. Campbell

I am glad to hear that the Government have accepted the recommendation that there should not be tight central control over this matter. As it is a subject which is of great concern to many people in Scotland, will the Secretary of State for Scotland soon give an indication of the Government's views on the Committee's recommendations?

Dr. Mabon

When the circular is published it will be seen that we have covered virtually all the 28 conclusions in the Report in one way or another. We hope that local authorities will observe the circular in the spirit in which it is issued.

Mr. Younger

I welcome what the Minister has said about the Report, but will he bear in mind that there is perhaps no single aspect of local authority administration, in spite of the best efforts of officials, which gives more heartburn to people on housing lists? Will he ensure that when they are published his arrangements make allowances for people who have to change their homes on redeployment but cannot change their authorities at the same time?

Dr. Mabon

As a Member of Parliament who has represented an industrial town for 13 years, I endorse the hon. Gentleman's first remark. I am only sorry that it has taken past Governments as well as the present Government so long to get there, but now that we have got there, let us hope that these two points will be met.