HC Deb 23 January 1945 vol 407 cc650-1
78 and 79. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) why tenants of the Scottish Special Housing Committee are charged 16s. a week rent for their houses at Gartleahill, Airdrie, whereas Airdrie council houses both east and west of Gartleahill are let at 7s. 9d. and 10s. 3d. per week, including rates;

(2) if he is aware of the dissatisfaction of the tenants of the Scottish Special Housing, Committee's houses at Gartleahill, Airdrie, on account of the dampness of the all-concrete houses, their bad state of repair, and the lack of boundary fences to their gardens; and if he will take steps to put these houses into better repair, with better amenities, and reduce the rent of 16s. per week, especially as these tenants are, for various reasons, some £30 per annum worse off than when they lived nearer their work, in houses now destroyed by enemy action.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. Johnston)

The houses belonging to the Scottish Special Housing Association at Gartleahill, Airdrie were requisitioned in 1941 by the Ministry of Supply. The rents, which are not subsidised by the Exchequer, were then fixed by the Ministry of Supply, I understand on the advice of the Chief Valuer for Scotland, at £28, £33 and £38 for 3, 4, and 5-apartment houses respectively. These rents cannot be compared with the rents charged by the town council, which were fixed, with the aid of subsidy, at £13 5s. to £18 10s. for persons rehoused from unfit or overcrowded property. Complaints recently received about the condition of the Gartleahill houses are being investigated, and any necessary repairs will be carried out without delay.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is the Secretary of State for Scotland aware that practically the whole of this estate is occupied by my folk, who were shifted out from Clydebank, and who are now forced to travel 30 miles to and from their work, with all the extra expense for travelling? Will he reply to that part of my Question which deals with the fact that it is costing them £30 per annum more than before they were blitzed? They are being penalised because they were blitzed. I want to know what the Secretary of State is going to do to meet that item.

Mr. Johnston

With reference to the last part of the question, the economic conditions of these workers and the rents they are paying are obviously a matter for their employers, the Ministry of Supply; and I would advise my hon. Friend to place his question there.

Mr. Kirkwood

This is a very serious business. Those houses are neither wind nor water-tight. That being so, will the Secretary of State instruct me to inform the people that they need not pay rent until the houses are made wind and watertight?

Mr. Johnston

That is a legal question, of which I would like notice. But the answer I have given regarding repairs is clear and definite—they will be carried out without delay. On the legal question of liability for rent of houses which are not wind and water-tight, I would like notice.

Mr. Gallacher

Does not the Secretary of State, responsible as he is for Scotland and the Scottish people, consider it his duty to bring this matter before the Ministry of Supply, and to see that something is done in connection with these rents and the condition of these houses?

Mr. Johnston

I have already publicly suggested to my hon. Friend that questions relating to the economic conditions of these workers, the distances they travel, the rents they pay, and so on, are clearly matters for the Ministry of Supply, and it would be outwith my powers to interfere.

Mr. Gallacher

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the Ministry of Supply what he thinks about it?

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