asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prefabricated houses were built in Scotland under the post-war programme; how many have since been demolished; and within what period he estimates that the remainder will be replaced by permanent brick dwellings.

A total of 32,156 houses were built in Scotland under the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act, 1944, and of these 46 have been destroyed or demolished. No estimate can be given of the period within which the remainder of the temporary houses will be replaced by permanent ones.

Would it not perhaps be wise to regard these prefabricated houses more as transit camps between the thoroughly bad homes from which the people have been taken and the admirable houses which the Conservative Government have built for them?

Is there not a misunderstanding in the use of the adjective? "Prefabrication" is used extensively in Scotland for permanent houses. The Weir Housing Corporation has prefabricated houses which are good for 60 years.

My hon. Friend was referring to the prefabricated houses as part of the temporary programme. I referred to temporary accommodation under the Act.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that although some of the temporary houses have not stood up, plenty of people have fine homes in these temporary prefabricated houses and are very happy to be in them? It is a great mistake to slander everybody's home because one or two houses have given bad results.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what complaints he has received in respect of increased rents for corporation and privately-owned houses in Ayr and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the general position.

My right hon. Friend has had no complaints from Ayr. Representations are made to him from time to time about increases in the rents of local authority and privately-owned houses, but he has no power to intervene in these matters.

My right hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that his answer will do much to dissipate the unscrupulous propaganda that has been put about that all increases in rents are due to the actions of the Conservative Government.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Housing Acts lay down that rents should be fixed by the local authority, the Department not entering into the matter? Would not a clearer picture be obtained so far as this Question is concerned if the hon. Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) applied to the municipality, which has a host of complaints about rent increases?

Oh, no, they have not.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how soon designation and draft orders will be made in respect of the proposed new town at Cumbernauld.

My right hon. Friend has discussed with Glasgow Corporation the proposal for a new development at Cumbernauld to assist in meeting the corporation's housing needs, and he will not be in a position to reach a decision until he receives the answer to questions he has put to them.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the areas around Cumbernauld, including Airdrie, are waiting to find out whether draft orders are going to be made, so that they may make their representations? Could he speed up these draft orders?

My right hon. Friend is doing everything he can towards that end.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that many of us have grave doubts about the principles of new towns? Can he say what area of agricultural land will be involved in this affair?

That is a different question from the one on the Order Paper.

If the hon. and gallant Member had as little land as Glasgow has for housing he would not have any doubts in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial and administrative obligations he has asked the Glasgow Corporation to undertake in the development of the new town at Cumbernauld.

The questions which my right hon. Friend has under discussion with Glasgow Corporation in connection with the suggested development at Cumbernauld include matters of finance and administration, but he is not in a position to make a statement in detail until he has the views of the Glasgow Corporation on these questions.

Why is it necessary to discuss the financial implications with Glasgow Corporation in respect of the only new town so far suggested to deal with its overspill when London has already had eight new towns to deal with its overspill and has not been asked to make any financial contribution?

The circumstances are not anything like similar.