Mr. McNeilasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, of the 1, 000 houses authorised in the spring of 1943, how many are occupied, how many completed but not yet occupied and how many are in the course of construction; if there are any upon which work has not yet begun or for which tenders have not yet been approved; and if he will give the comparable figures for the 1,000 houses authorised in the spring of 1944.
Mr. JohnstonUnder the 1943 programme, finally fixed at 98o houses, 231 houses have been occupied, eight completed but tot occupied, 701 are under construction, and 36 have hitherto been postponed owing to siting difficulties. Under the 1944 programme, seven have been occupied, 737 are under construction and 396 have not been begun, labour difficulties being the chief cause. Tenders have been approved for all houses under both programmes.
§ Mr. McNeillasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the zoo temporary houses now building in Greenock were authorised; when work began; if any are yet occupied; and if he will give comparable figures for any other houses of similar type built or building, elsewhere in Scotland.
Mr. JohnstonTenders for the houses referred to were approved on 25th September, 1943, and work began on 144 in October, 1943, and on the remaining 56 in July, 1944, after site difficulties had been overcome. One hundred and fifty-eight of the houses are under construction and 42 have been completed, but, pending an examination this week of the results of remedial work, these have not yet been passed as fit for occupancy. Tenders for 400 similar houses in Clydebank and Dumbarton and Lanark counties were likewise approved on the 25th September, 1943, and these houses have all been occupied. Remedial work on the outside walls has been necessary and this is nearing completion. A comprehensive inquiry into the condition of all these emergency houses is in progress by the Scottish Special Housing Association, the Department of Health and the local authorities concerned and any further steps which this inquiry may show to be desirable for 663W making the houses satisfactory from the point of view of the tenants' comfort, will be authorised.