HC Deb 29 February 1928 vol 214 cc434-6W
Mr. CHARLETON

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses built by local authorities and by private enterprise with State assistance and by private enterprise without State assistance for each of the years ended 31st March, 1919, to 1927?

Sir J. GILMOUR

For statistics available with respect to the number of houses completed by local authorities and by private enterprise in Scotland with State assistance for each of the years ended 31st December from 1919 to 1927 inclusive, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 14th instant to the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood), a copy of which I am sending him. The following table shows the numbers of houses built by private enterprise in Scotland without State assistance during the same period:

1919 5,195*
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924 1,553
1925 1,852
1926 1,812
1927 2,008
12,420

*This figure of 5,195 houses completed by unassisted private enterprise during the years 1919–1923 is an estimate based on returns compiled by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue showing the number of new dwelling houses in Scotland assessed to Income Tax, Schedule A, for the first time in these years. The figures given in the table for the years 1924–1927 were obtained from returns received by the Scottish Board of Health from local authorities. In the case of 1927 a few returns are still outstanding.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average cost of houses built under the Housing Acts for each month since January, 1924, distinguishing between parlour and non-parlour houses?

Sir J. GILMOUR

In Scotland a distinction as between parlour and non-parlour houses is unusual. On the basis that the former comprise all houses having more than four habitable apartments, and the latter all houses having four or fewer habitable apartments, a statement has been prepared showing the average tender prices in schemes carried out by local authorities under the Housing Acts during each month from January, 1924, to January, 1928, and I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.