§ 27. Dr. Dickson Mabonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of houses built in Scotland in 1970.
§ Mr. Gordon Campbell44,537.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is the fourth of four record years and the best of those years? Will he accept a challenge and for the very short time that he will be in office, will he give one year over which he will preside when he will beat our figure?
§ Mr. CampbellThe answer to the first part of the question is "Yes". As all of the houses completed in 1970 must have been started in the time of the Labour Government, I take this opportunity of congratulating the hon. Member —on missing his target by only 5,463 and on failing dismally to meet the pledge of the Leader of the Opposition.
§ Mr. DouglasWill the right hon. Gentleman fix a target for us so that in five years' time he can tell a Labour Government by how much he has missed that target? Or does he have a target in mind so low that it will be impossible not to achieve it? At all events, will he answer my hon. Friend's question and say that he will achieve in any one year a figure similar to that achieved by us?
§ Mr. CampbellNo. I will make no attempt to emulate the foolishness of the Opposition. My scope is restricted by the fact that in 1969 there were only 39,000 starts and only 18,000 in the first half of 1970.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.