HC Deb 12 May 1976 vol 911 cc429-31
Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of rehabilitation of substandard housing in Scotland.

The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Hugh D. Brown)

The Housing (Scotland) Act 1974, which came into operation on 27th November 1974, gave local authorities new and extended powers to deal with houses below the statutory tolerable standard by declaring housing action areas, and local authorities have been given every encouragement to make use of these powers. Since the Act came into force, 68 housing action areas have been declared, covering 4,927 houses, of which 2,855 are to be improved. Also, many of the houses improved with the aid of grants will have previously been below standard.

Mr. Steel

Does the hon. Gentleman think the programme is going as fast as it should? Does he still have a target date for ridding Scotland of the rest of the houses which are below a tolerable standard? Is it possible to speed up the valuation process, which seems to be causing delays in some areas?

Mr. Brown

I know the hon. Gentleman has had problems—not leadership problems, but difficulties in his constituency about valuations. If we can help, I shall be willing to look at the matter. We have no specific target date, because most of the responsiblity rests with local authorities, but we have provided a framework of legislation and the financial resources to make a serious attack on the problem. This is the first year of existence of the new housing authorities and, although I am not complacent, I am satisfied that they are beginning to realise the benefits of the housing action area procedure.

Mr. Adam Hunter

Does my hon. Friend realise that the problem of substandard housing is not experienced only by local authorities? Is he aware that in the village of Steelend in my area many National Coal Board houses are in a very bad condition? Does he agree that, if the NCB cannot find the money to improve them, an extra Government grant should be given to the local district council to enable it to carry out the necessary work?

Mr. Brown

I would not necessarily agree with my hon. Friend. There are generous funds available for local authorities for public sector housing. About 7 per cent. or 8 per cent. of the total housing stock is below a tolerable standard. The NCB is in the same position as any private sector landlord and has access to improvement grants.

Mr.Younger

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the present figures for house improvements show a shattering reduction on the huge totals achieved by the last Conservative Government? Will he give expenditure on this work a much higher priority, as an improved house produces an excellent home at much less cost than a new house?

Mr. Brown

I do not accept what the hon. Member says. We have rightly given grants more selectively and concentrated on making more money available for houses below a tolerable standard and for people whose homes really need the improvements.

Mr. Robin F. Cook

Has my hon. Friend seen the memorandum submitted to his office by the residents of Downfield Place in my constituency which shows that Edinburgh District Council is failing to carry out the instruction in Circular 67 to inform residents of a housing action area exactly what an order means? Will he consider what pressure can be put on local authorities failing to carry out this task, which is so vital if the 1974 Act is to work as intended?

Mr. Brown

I am not aware of the circumstances in Downfield Place. I am sure that this is an important matter, and if my hon. Friend writes to me I shall take it up to find out whether the Edinburgh District Council is in default. I know it is not exactly setting the heather on fire in other aspects of housing policy.

Mr. Welsh

What effect will the proposed cuts of £94 million in Government expenditure over the next four years have if £6 out of every £10 for the Scottish budget is to be taken from housing? Surely this must have a devastating effect on house-building rates and rehabilitation rates.

Mr. Brown

I am never very sure that the hon. Gentleman's figures are correct. I should like to see them in writing and study them first. I repeat that there is no restriction on the available resources for new housing. We are giving resources for modernisation and improvement at a record level. I do not think that this is an unsatisfactory performance by any standard.

Mr. Craigen

In view of my hon. Friend's recent letter to me about improvement schemes, will he say whether he has had a favourable response from the Scottish Special Housing Association as to how far it might assist local authorities in this matter?

Mr. Brown

Yes, I have had frequent discussions with the SSHA. It is directing its resources to this very problem. I should add that the housing associations are making an increased contribution. Over the next five years they expect to rehabilitate 3,200 houses each year. Although I am not satisfied, I think that we should get some recognition for our effort.

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