§ 63. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to undertake a new survey of housing requirements as suggested in D. H. S. circular No. 14/1954.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe appendix to the circular pointed out that the type and size of houses to be built could not be determined satisfactorily without an up-to-date survey of actual housing requirements. This is primarily a matter for the local authorities who have a statutory duty to consider the housing conditions and needs of their districts.
§ 64. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to facilitate the examination of the new lower standard houses by local authority representatives; and how many such houses are available for inspection, other than in Edinburgh.
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§ Mr. J. StuartI cannot, of course, accept the implication that living standards have been lowered. Local authorities were invited, by a circular issued on 5th April, to inspect the demonstration flats built to the new standards in Edinburgh, which will be open for inspection until 29th May.
I understand that houses to the same standards have been built in other districts by non-traditional contractors, who will, no doubt, be ready to facilitate inspection by local authorities.