HC Deb 22 December 1971 vol 828 cc1500-2
23. Mr. Hugh D. Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the overspill receiving authorities at present in receipt of Government subsidy, the total cost in each year of such subsidies since the operation of the Housing and Town Development (Scotland) Act, 1957; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

With permission, I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I have no statement to make.

Mr. Brown

That makes it difficult—

Mr. Speaker

Order. A supplementary question is not compulsory.

Mr. Brown

It is Christmas, Mr. Speaker, and I do not think you should try to deny me the pleasure. Ls the Secretary of State aware of the 1970 report of the Glasgow Medical Officer of Health drawing attention to the reversal, for the first time for 60 years, in the trends of increasing height and weight of schoolchildren? That reversal is ascribed to the overspill policy. Will the right hon. Gentleman initiate an immediate and urgent inquiry into the social and economic implications of overspill generally?

Mr. Campbell

The reason I have to circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT is that it contains the names of about 30 towns and about 20 figures. As regards overspill, the new housing expenditure subsidy and the arrangements in the new Bill will greatly assist overspill both for receiving authorities and for Glasgow.

Following is the information:

1. Overspill receiving authorities in of Government subsidy:

2. Overspill subsidies paid to receiving authorities:

£
1960–61 16,128
1961–62 24,696
1962–63 42,399
1963–64 77,640
1964–65 132,426
1965–66 119,532
1966–67 140,931
1967–68 154,182
1968–69 156,289
1969–70 155,204
1970–71 173,698