§ 1. Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of houses started in the private sector during the first quarter of 1971; and what increase this represents over the same quarter in 1970.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Development, Scottish Office (Mr. George Younger)The number was 1,832–29 per cent. more than were started in the first quarter of 1970.
§ Mr. SproatThese are absolutely first-class figures for Scotland. What actions on the part of the Government caused these figures to be achieved? May we have an assurance that every step will be taken to increase the number of owner-occupiers in Scotland?
§ Mr. YoungerI thank my hon. Friend for those comments. I agree that it is desirable to increase the number of people who are able to own their own homes. These figures have been brought about partly by various measures that have been taken by the Government to make it more attractive for people to become home owners.
§ Mr. SillarsAs the hon. Gentleman is in a boastful mood, may I ask him to answer the question which has been repeatedly put to him, namely, will the Conservative Government build more houses in total than were built in the last year of the Labour Administration?
§ Mr. YoungerThat is another question which is not related only to private house building. I have consistently told the hon. Gentleman that our objective is to build as many houses as possible in areas of general need.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonRecalling that 1969 was the best year since the war for private house building, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to say whether he thinks the Conservative Government will achieve in 1971 the record figure of that year? If 347 so, the figure for the first quarter is very disappointing.
§ Mr. YoungerThe figure for the first quarter of 1971 relates, of course, to only one quarter of the year, and one should not read too much into it. However, the present trend represents an encouraging start.