§ 77. Mr. McGovernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to allow the introduction of a Bill to stop the sale of tenant-occupied flats in Scot land, in order to stamp out this evil which is causing discontent in Scotland and has been raised with him during the past three or four years by Scottish Labour Members of Parliament.
Mr. McNeilI have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on this subject on 24th April.
§ 78. Mr. N. Macphersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he is now permitting local authorities to build two-roomed houses.
Mr. McNeilLocal authorities are encouraged, within their normal allocations, to build houses for old people consisting of a living-room and bed-alcove or bedroom. Tenders for 706 houses of this kind have been approved since the war.
§ Mr. Formanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland his decision on the suitability of the Tarran low cost bungalow for local authority housing.
Mr. McNeilYes. The Building Research Station have now completed their investigation into the proposed method of construction and have reported that as at present designed the house falls below the recommended standards of structural efficiency in the following respects. The party wall is not strong enough and would have to be given additional lateral support: as designed it does not provide sufficient sound insulation to conform even with normal standards, which I do not consider to be high: and there would be, I am afraid, a risk that fire would spread across the 203W top of the wall at ceiling level. The edges of the granolithic floor finish, which are exposed to rain-water shed from the external walls, are likely to allow water penetration into the floor with resulting dampness. There is also a serious risk of condensation in the walls and roof.
The report adds that under normal conditions of usage and maintenance the bungalow is not considered to be sufficiently durable for a life of 60 years. In these circumstances, while I am at all times anxious to encourage more economical building I regret that I cannot, under existing legislation, approve the bungalow for subsidy purposes. I want to make two points clear. The Building Research Station's report relates not to the original bungalow, estimated to cost £500, but to that bungalow as materially improved to meet the initial criticisms of the experts as regards standards and equipment. It should be appreciated that, while I have no precise figures, this improved type will cost, I am assured, around £1,000. The second point is that the criticisms do not apply to the Dorran concrete bungalow, designed by the same firm, which is structually sound and has already been approved by the British Research Station and my Department for erection by local authorities.