§ Colonel Thornton-Kemsleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses have been built and how many reconditioned under the terms of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, 1926.
§ Mr. WestwoodThe answer to the first part of the Question is "None." The Act does not provide assistance for the construction of new houses. Under the 653W provisions of the Act, assistance has been been provided for work on 32,777 houses in Scotland up to 30th June, 1945.
§ Colonel Thornton-Kemsleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps the Government proposes to take to encourage the building and reconditioning of houses for rural workers from 30th September, 1945, the date of the expiry of the Housing (Rural Workers) (Scotland) Act, 1942; and from what date the contemplated assistance will become operative.
§ Mr. WestwoodI am awaiting a report by the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee on the measures that might be taken to facilitate the modernisation of existing houses. Meantime I can only assure the hon. and gallant Member that in considering the measures that may be necessary to improve housing conditions in Scotland I shall not overlook the needs of Scottish rural workers.