§ LORD TAYLOR OF GRYFEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will be in a position to announce the figures of housing completions in Scotland during 1969.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD HUGHES)My Lords, the figures are being published to-day. During the year 42,629 houses were completed, which means that for the third year running we have reached a new record in Scotland.
§ LORD TAYLOR OF GRYFEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply to the Question and congratulate him on his achievement. Is he aware that it is frequently stated that the housing shortage contributes seriously to the restriction of economic development in Scotland, and that the figures which he has now quoted will bring much encouragement to those concerned with the welfare of Scotland?
§ LORD STRATHCLYDEMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that we on these Benches, particularly those of us who have had something to do with housing in Scotland, desire to congratulate him on the figures which he has announced?
§ THE EARL OF LAUDERDALEMy Lords, can the noble Lord say how many of these houses were built by public 131 authorities and how many were the product of private enterprise? Can he also say how these figures compare with those for previous years?
§ LORD HUGHESYes, my Lords. There were 34,302 completed in the public sector—that is, by local authorities, new towns, the Scottish Special Housing Association, housing associations and Government Departments—and 8,327 by private owners. The figures for 1968 were 33,269 public and 8,719 private. The figures for 1967 were 33,960 public and 7,498 private. In order to save the noble Earl some quick arithmetic, may I say that this year's figures for the private sector are slightly down on last year's but remain the second highest figures recorded in Scotland.