Sir Ian Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement about the rates of Exchequer contributions to be paid for new houses completed in Scotland after 30th June, 1954.
§ Mr. J. StuartYes. As hon. Members will recall, the recent White Paper on. Housing Policy, Scotland, indicated that, in the interests of the general body of taxpayers, the Exchequer contributions could not continue indefinitely at the present rate. These contributions would normally be reviewed at this time to enable me to consider whether a draft order varying the existing rates should be submitted to the House and the recent fall in the Public Works Loan Board's interest rate would have been a factor in the review. I have, however, decided to postpone consideration of this question until the recommendations of the Sorn Committee on Valuation and Rating have been received and the Government have had an opportunity of reaching conclusions upon them. The present rates of Exchequer and rate contributions will86W therefore continue unchanged for new houses completed between the 30th June, 1954, and the date of the subsequent review.