§ Sir W. Darlingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the cost of housing, per head of population, for Scotland in 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952, respectively.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe net annual expenditure by the central Government and the local authorities on housing in Scotland for the years in question was
— £m. Approximate amount per head of the population s. d. 1948–49 … … 12.1 47 0 1949–50 … … 13.6 53 0 1950–51 … … 13.7 54 0 1951–52 … … 14.5 57 0
§ Sir W. Darlingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average debt on each local authority house in Scotland in 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952 respectively.
§ Mr. J. StuartI have no information which would show the average capital debt per house over the whole country.
§ Sir W. Darlingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the value of all houses owned by local authorities and Government in Scotland; and what would be the reduction of the ratepayers' and taxpayers' burden, annually, if these were sold to occupiers and others at this valuation.
§ Mr. J. StuartI regret that I do not have information as to the value of local authority houses or the reduction in the ratepayers' burden which would result if they were sold. If Exchequer contributions were to cease on sale, the total reduction in the taxpayers' burden would be about £6.5 million per annum for local authority permanent houses.