§ 3. Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many houses administered by cost rent housing associations in Scotland were unoccupied at 30th June, 1972.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Development, Scottish Office (Mr. George Younger)I do not have this information which should be available from the housing associations concerned.
§ Mr. EwingThese housing associations have some responsibility to the Scottish Office. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that they have never been a success and that in my constituency a number of such cost rent houses, high amenity houses, are standing empty? Would it not be better either to put the houses up for sale or, the better alternative, transfer them to the control of the local authorities and have them allocated to families in need?
§ Mr. YoungerI know of the cases in the hon. Gentleman's constituency; he has mentioned them before. These houses were built under the scheme introduced in the early 1960s, with an Exchequer loan but no other form of Government subsidy. It is for the housing associations to manage their own affairs as they see fit according to the existing circumstances. Under the new legislation the introduction of rent allowances may help some of the tenants.