§ Sir B. Neven-Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps he proposes to take to relieve local authorities of the additional financial burden which will fall on them in respect of houses now in course of construction which must remain incomplete and unoccupied as a result of the policy intimated in D.H.S. Circular No. 21/1947;
(2) what steps he proposes to take to relieve local authorities of any additional financial burden which may fall on them in respect of any further houses which may be started in schemes already approved by the Department of Health for Scotland and which, as a result of materials not being available, cannot be completed within 12 months after building has commenced.
§ Mr. BuchananThe object of the housing programme for 1947, is to expedite the completion of houses which will accordingly become rent producing more quickly than would otherwise be the case. I cannot agree, therefore, that additional financial burdens will fall upon local authorities because of this policy. As a result of a recent review, which took account of the rise in building costs and the reduction in the rate of interest on housing loans, I reported to the House last week that I had decided to continue the rates of contributions current at 30th June. 1947, for houses completed during the year after that date.