§ Major GLYNasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has considered, in consultation with the Treasury, the possibility of exempting new houses from taxation for a period of 10 years; and whether, as regards rates, corporations and local authorities desirous of encouraging private enterprise in building houses should follow the example of New York City and exempt new houses from rates for a similar period, seeing that there is a demand throughout Scotland for houses which, under present conditions, are not being built by private enterprise and cannot be built at the cost of the taxpayer?
§ Mr. MUNROI have considered these proposals, but, on the information before me, I am not satisfied that exemption from rates and taxes would form a sufficient inducement to the private builder to build new houses. The proposals would require legislation.