Mr. W. M. WATSONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state separately the number of houses completed under the Housing Acts of 1923 and 1924 in the County of Fife upon which the full amount of the grant promised under these Acts has been paid; and will he state the cause of the delay in making payment of the grants after the houses have been completed?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIn order to suit the convenience of local authorities, State grants payable under the Acts of 1923 and 1924 are paid in three instalments. The first two instalments are paid in advance and the last instalment is paid after the conclusion of the local authority's financial year in respect of which grant is due. If, however, any local authority prefers to receive grant in one payment annually, this can be made after the conclusion of the first financial year in which a full year's loan charges have been paid. In accordance with existing practice, the full amount of grant due has been paid to the county council of Fife in respect of 92 houses completed under the Act of 1923 and of six houses under the Act of 1924.