§ 95. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Works what representations he has received from Glasgow Corporation dealing with the issue of building licences and their effect on housing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DurbinThe Corporation of Glasgow have represented that some of the work licensed by my Department is not essential. They refer to fifteen cases all of which have been carefully examined, and account for only £45,000 out of a total of £6,300,000 covered by applications authorised during the period from January, 1946, to June, 1947. In two cases where unlicensed work was alleged to have been carried out further investigations are taking place. I am satisfied that the licences in the remaining thirteen cases were justified; in six of them the licence was given mainly to meet the specific requirements of the corporation's officials. A meeting will shortly take place between my officials and representatives of the corporation with a view to discussing the building programme for the area.