§ Mr. T. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the average cost of four-roomed timber 2042W kirk (Mr. Westwood) a statement as to the cost of public assistance to old age pensioners in the respective public assistance areas in Scotland. I regret that it has now been found that in calculating the figures for the equivalent rate in counties given in column 6 of that table a systematic error was made.
and poured-concrete houses, respectively, for which State subsidy is paid; and the average cost of a four-roomed brick-built house also under subsidised conditions?
2043W
Mr. WedderburnThe average cost of four-roomed houses of timber, poured concrete, and brick construction approved for subsidy purposes during the 12 months ended 31st May, 1939, was £458, £515 and £466, respectively. The hon. Member will be aware that sufficient experience has not yet been gained of timber and poured concrete construction to enable a reliable comparison between the cost of building by those methods and the cost of building by the normal methods. With a more extensive use of alternative methods, it may be expected that the cost of building by those methods will be reduced.
§ Mr. T. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state what number of timber and poured-concrete working-class houses, for which State subsidy is paid, have been erected in Scotland by local authorities or development councils during the period from April, 1938 to April, 1939, and plans approved of, and estimates accepted, since April, 1939?
Mr. WedderburnDuring the year to 30th April, 1939, 218 timber houses and 50 poured-concrete houses were completed under subsidy schemes. There were also at that date 1,720 timber and 1,082 poured-concrete houses under construction, while tenders had been approved by the Department of Health for 369 timber and 2,764 poured-concrete houses the construction of which had not begun. Since the 30th April last the Department of Health have approved tenders for 886 timber houses, and plans for 1,030 poured-concrete houses not yet tendered for.
§ Mr. Stephenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it has been found possible to expedite the building of the houses in the Borrowfield Scheme in the Camlachie Parliamentary Division of Glasgow, in view of the great over-crowding and bad housing conditions in this area?
Mr. WedderburnI am informed by the corporation that difficulties which were encountered in securing proper foundations for the houses have been overcome and the corporation expect to make good progress from now on. The Scheme has recently been increased to provide a total of 614 houses, of which 216 are under construction. The corporation assure me that they will take every possible step to expedite the completion of the houses.