HC Deb 19 November 1969 vol 791 cc1296-7
15. Dr. Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the co-operation he is receiving from local authorities in the construction of houses to rent; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Dickson Mabon

While the great majority of the authorities appreciate their local needs and are trying to meet them, the efforts of certain authorities are very disappointing.

Dr. Miller

Is my hon. Friend aware that in Glasgow, for example, the local authority is so obsessed with the fear of applying a reasonable rate for the purpose of building houses for its people that it is deliberately running down, for example, the direct labour department which builds houses for rent? Will he see to it that Glasgow is not permitted to prejudice schemes which the Government have to help people in the city to get houses which they so very much require?

Dr. Mabon

I know my hon. Friend feels very deeply about this, as does the Secretary of State for Scotland, and when I meet the Corporation of Glasgow next month, I shall do my very best to try to persuade it to agree not only to build more in Glasgow but also to build more outside Glasgow.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

Is the Minister satisfied with the situation in which Glasgow was landed with a housing debt as a result of Socialist policies over many years, and will he at least abandon the policy of intimidation and blackmail he is using towards the city over the Erskine project, and trying to saddle it with an unreasonable financial burden?

Dr. Mahon

On the contrary, the hon. Member has this entirely wrong. He is doing his city a great disservice. Glasgow has been given more by the new adjustment of the rate support grant formula, and the offer made by the Government in relation to Erskine, Larkhall and East Kilbride and so on is a most generous gesture by the Government, comparable to no other in the United Kingdom. He and his short-sighted Tory friends are saying "No" to that.