HC Deb 15 March 1978 vol 946 cc436-7
15. Mr. Younger

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with current progress in house building in Scotland.

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

I am satisfied that authorities are assessing their housing needs as a whole, including the need for the building of new houses, and that these will be reflected in the housing plans which they have been asked to submit to my right hon. Friend annually.

Mr. Younger

How can the Minister be satisfied with anything when the number of houses completed in 1977 was only 26,772—the lowest total for more than 20 years, and lower than in any year of the last Conservative Government? How does that square with the Labour Party's pledge at the last election: The next Labour Government will … reverse the disastrous fall in house building"?

Mr. Brown

It is true that it is almost as bad as in the years of the Conservative Government before 1964. [Interruption.] It is almost as bad. Do not let us argue about a few houses. The figures are almost as bad as the average for the three years preceding the election of the Labour Government in 1964, when the need, presumably, was much greater. I thought that we had agreed to get away from the numbers game. There was no limitation on the building of new houses until last year, and the figures reflect the greater need for modernisation and rehabilitation. That is the view of the local authorities concerned.

Mr. Robert Hughes

When my hon. Friend considers the housing plans submitted by local authorities, will he pay particular regard to the authorities that submit realistic housing plans and not regard them as bids for the money that is available? Will he take into account the capability of local authorities to meet their plans when allocating the money?

Mr. Brown

Yes, that is only one of the factors that we shall take into account. The borrowing allocation for 1978–79 is increasing. I never know what the SNP policy is on anything, but I should like to know whether the official Opposition are asking me to increase public expenditure on housing.