§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount spent or allocated for housing subsidies or contributions in Scotland since 1918 by the State and local authorities, respectively; and how many dwellings do these payments represent?
§ Mr. ElliotIt is estimated that the total cost to the Exchequer, and to local authorities in respect of the provision of new houses for the working classes in Scotland from 1918, up to the 15th May, 1938, will be £26,500,000 and £9,000,000 respectively. The total number of dwellings to which these payments relate cannot be stated, but up to the end of December, 1937, 225,418 dwellings had been completed, with Exchequer assistance, by local authorities and private enterprise under the various Housing Acts. These figures are exclusive of756W 25,380 dwellings reconditioned under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts during the period in question at a cost to the Exchequer and to local authorities of approximately £275,000 from each source.