§ 88. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the rising cost of houses built by local authorities, particularly in the fishing burghs of East Fife; what steps he is taking to reduce those costs; and if it is his intention to increase housing grants to local authorities so as to enable rents to be fixed at reasonable levels.
§ Mr. WoodburnI have received no evidence of substantial rises in housing costs since 1 decided last June to maintain the present rates of housing subsidy; but, as I have already intimated, if costs do not fall I shall be glad to re-examine the position with the local authority associations. I hope shortly to send to local authorities copies of the report of the Scottish Building Costs Committee which contains suggestions for reducing the cost of houses.