§ Mr. McGovernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a number of families are to be evicted from Shaftesbury Lane, Glasgow; whether these tenants entered as squatters or had the houses let to them by the owner; whether he can state the date of entry; whether the owner was prosecuted for letting condemned houses with a closing order; how long the tenants were in occupation before the owner was prosecuted; whether steps are to be taken in future to see that houses are pulled down when tenants vacate the premises; and what steps are being taken to rehouse these tenants?
§ Mr. ElliotI am aware that Glasgow Corporation has asked the Sheriff to grant an eviction order against certain families in Shaftesbury Lane, but as this question is now before the Court the hon. Member404W will realise that I can express no opinion on the matters there under discussion. I have, however, been informed by the Corporation that the houses were first re-occupied in November, 1936, and that the occupiers have stated that they were unaware of the fact that the property had been made the subject of a clearance order in November, 1935. The owner was prosecuted for allowing the reoccupation of the houses and was fined on 15th February, 1937.
With regard to the last two parts of the question, it is not possible in all cases to demolish houses closed as unfit, as they may, for instance, form part of an otherwise fit building; but the Corporation is, I understand, taking steps to prevent the reoccupation of such houses in future.
The Department of Health for Scotland indicated to the Corporation on the 4th November last that, if the Corporation is satisfied that the tenants took up residence at Shaftesbury Lane with the express permission of the proprietrix and in ignorance of the fact that a clearance order in respect of the property had become operative, and if the Corporation is further satisfied that it would be justified in rehousing them, the Department of Health would be prepared to allow grant under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1935, in respect of such new houses as the Corporation might require to accommodate, on an uncrowded basis, those who were living under overcrowded conditions before taking up residence in Shaftesbury Lane. The Department has since been informed by the Corporation that they are not satisfied that the families took up residence in ignorance of the fact that a clearance order had become operative, but I understand that this whole matter is presently under discussion in the Corporation.