From the archive: Building houses for sale

A proposal that representations be made to the Secretary of State for Scotland to permit one in five of Glasgow’s allocation of houses being undertaken by private builders was rejected by a narrow margin at yesterday’s meeting of Glasgow Corporation. Refuting the Socialists’ accusations that it would mean people with money would be able to “jump the housing queue”, the housing convener, Mr A Macpherson-Rait (Prog) said Scotland should be equal with England regarding the allocation of materials for private house building. He was sure it would speed up housing and make available more rented houses. Mr W M Lee (Lab), asked if it was true certain materials in short supply were available for private enterprise building. Since 1945, they were aware of nearly 40 firms undertaking contracts and then turning them down or leaving the Direct Labour Department to complete, thereby ensuring delays.