§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had recently with Glasgow District Council about the city's future housing needs; what estimates the Scottish Development Department have of (a) the number of flats in the city capable of being rehabilitated and (b) the number of local authority flats presently unoccupied; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownMy right hon. Friend and I met district council representatives on 3rd February to discuss the council's first housing plan, and my right hon. Friend's response to the plan was conveyed in a letter to the district council dated 19th May 1978. The plan records that the district council has identified 25,100 houses, mainly in tenements, which are below the tolerable standard and are suitable for rehabilitation. Information is not available to me about the number of local authority flats at present 91W unoccupied in Glasgow, but the district council keeps vacancies under continuous review. My right hon. Friend looks to the district council to assess its housing needs more fully in its second housing plan, which is due to be submitted to him this autumn, and to derive from that assessment a programme of rehabilitation set in the context of other proposed expenditure.