HC Deb 18 June 1931 vol 253 cc1933-4
59. Mr. STEPHEN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of condemned houses in the Camlachie Parliamentary Division of Glasgow which continue to be inhabited; how many slum-clearance houses are now being built to take their place; and the latest date on which closing orders for the old houses will be issued?

Mr. WESTWOOD

I am making inquiries into the matters referred to, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result in due course.

Mr. STEPHEN

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the facts are as stated in my supplementary question with regard to these houses?

Mr. WESTWOOD

I am having inquiries made on the point referred to in my hon. Friend's supplementary question, but up to the present moment I have not had a reply.

Mr. STEPHEN

Will the hon. Gentleman expedite the inquiry?

Mr. WESTWOOD

I always do all that I can to expedite inquiries.

Major ELLIOT

Will you prevent the hon. Gentleman from answering this question also?

Mr. SPEAKER

These questions have been passed at the Table.

Major ELLIOT

I was not in any way desiring to comment on the questions which have been passed at the Table, but merely on supplementary questions which have not been passed at the Table, and which arise out of those questions. If I have said anything which in any way seems to you inadvisable, I beg to withdraw and to apologise to you.

Miss LEE

Arising out of the original answer, is the hon. Gentleman aware that both in Glasgow and in the county of Lanark there are thousands of families now living in condemned houses, and will have to live in them for two or three years according to the present building programme; and, although the hon. and gallant Member for Kelvingrove (Major Elliot) may not think them important enough for a supplementary question—[Interruption.]

Viscountess ASTOR

Is the hon. Gentleman doing all that he promised in the direction of slum clearance?

Mr. WESTWOOD

The Noble Lady can rest assured that I am doing all that I can to fulfil every promise. [Interruption.]

HON. MEMBERS

Nothing!

Mr. SPEAKER

I think we might conduct these questions in a more orderly way.

60. Mr. STEPHEN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider making representations to the Glasgow Corporation to suggest a reduction in the rents of State-subsidised houses in the Camlachie Parliamentary Division of Glasgow, in view of the unemployment and resulting poverty of so many of the occupants of the houses?

Mr. WESTWOOD

I shall inquire into this matter and communicate later with my hon. Friend.