§ 70. Commander Galbraithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of permanent houses in Scotland, completed by 31st January, 1946, whose construction was commenced after 31st July, 1945.
§ Mr. BuchananOf permanent houses begun after 31st July, 1945, 16 had been completed by 31st January, 1946.
77. Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the recommendation of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee that the powers of local authorities in regard to the improvement of amenities should be strengthened; and what action he intends to take on this recommendation.
180W
§ Mr. WestwoodThe Committee's recommendations will be considered in connection with future planning legislation.
78. Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the recommendation of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee that there should be a subsidy to encourage the provision of houses for owner-occupation; and if he will introduce the necessary legislation at an early date.
§ Mr. WestwoodExcept for the assistance available to private persons under the Housing (Agricultural Population) (Scotland) Act, 1938, for the special purpose of replacing unsatisfactory houses occupied by agricultural workers and others, it is the Government's present policy that State assistance should be confined to the provision of houses by local authorities for letting at reasonable rents to those in greatest need. I am, therefore, not in a position to accept the recommendation of the majority report with regard to subsidy but I propose to commend to local authorities certain other recommendations designed to assist prospective owner-occupiers in providing new houses.