§ 42. Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total cost to central Government of subsidies to local authority housing in Scotland in the financial year 1963–64, and the comparable figure in the last financial year and what his represented as an average subsidy for each council house in these years.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonFor all subsidised houses, whenever built £14.7 million or £24 per house in 1963–64 and 393 £21.5 million or £30 per house in 1968–69. For houses completed in 1963–64 and 1968–69 the subsidies were approximately £38 and £105 per house respectively.
§ Mr. DewarWill the Minister accept that the Treasury in a Written Reply on 4th March estimated that the average support given to owner-occupiers in Scotland in the form of tax relief on mortgages and the option mortgage scheme worked out at £43 10s. per house? Does this not put into perspective the distorted picture put about by certain people that there is only one group of house occupiers in Scotland who receive help from the State?
§ Dr. Dickson MabonI accept all that the Treasury offers. In 1963–64 the total figure of housing expenditure was £120 million. For the current financial year it is £226 million and for the next financial year £230 million; and for 1971–72 it is estimated that it will be £238 million, which is a doubling since 1963.