HC Deb 12 March 1969 vol 779 cc1349-50
9. Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the work will be completed of strengthening multi-storey buildings, following the Ronan Point inquiry.

Dr. Dickson Mabon

As soon as possible, but no estimate can be made until authorities have completed their assessment of what has to be done.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that tenants of multi-storey flats who have to suffer the expense of removal or disturbance whilst strengthening is taking place will be recompensed for this expense, and also that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will help the local authorities in this expense so that the ratepayers will not suffer?

Dr. Mabon

This is another demand for an increase in public expenditure which I duly note. I am sure that local authorities will take appropriate steps to ensure the minimum of disturbance and that no undue expense will fall on the tenants concerned. The final settlement remains to be seen, depending on the nature of the structural improvements that will have to be made.

Mr. Dempsey

Will my hon. Friend expedite the strengthening of these flats? Blocks have been standing in Coatbridge for almost a year without progress being made.

Dr. Mabon

I am quite sympathetic to my hon. Friend's point, and I know that the Secretary of State is very much concerned about this. My hon. Friend will remember that the Report on Ronan Point was published early in November. We have sent out two technical circulars, one on 21st November and the other on 6th January. Each local authority is being asked to get a structural engineer's report if its system is different from the generality of systems. This is not an easy task. I accept that urgency is very important.

Mr. Clark Hutchison

Does the Minister realise that these high flats are not normally very popular, and what is he saying to local authorities to discourage them from building further blocks of this nature?

Dr. Mabon

I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's point. These blocks are quite popular, or they were certainly until this event. We can argue with local authorities only on housing densities. The Secretary of State has been very firm in his arguments about the developments in Glasgow. I would not say that applies to Edinburgh, where the densities are rather different.