HC Deb 23 March 1914 vol 60 cc39-40
73. Lord ROBERT CECIL

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his expert advisers are of opinion that the houses in Jamestown Square, near Rosyth, are satisfactory habitations for the workmen there employed?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I am informed that the county medical officer of health has recently reported that these houses generally are unsatisfactory, and I understand the report is at present under consideration by the local authority.

79. Lord ROBERT CECIL

asked whether, in the proposals for improving the housing conditions at Rosyth, the houses in Jamestown Square are still to be counted on for housing workmen employed there?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

The proposals for adding to the temporary housing provision at Rosyth by the erection of huts for 300 single workmen and 200 families, were made with a view to meeting, generally, the needs of the men engaged upon Admiralty works. I went over Jamestown Square, formed my own judgment upon the character of the accommodation, and contemplated the possibility of its condemnation. The preliminaries of the work of providing the new temporary accommodation are pro- ceeding with all expedition. In fact, a commencement is being made with the accommodation roads to-day. When the huts are ready I shall watch weekly the extent to which they are used by the workmen. If, and when they appear to be likely to be fully occupied, I shall discuss with the contractor the question of the necessity or otherwise, which will depend upon the number of men employed, for the provision of further accommodation. In view of the statements made as to congestion in the district, it may interest the Noble Lord to know that, though the first of the existing huts was occupied on 24th February, 1913, and the hut accommodation made by the contractor for 905 men was ready about the end of June, as late as December last there were considerably over 100 places unoccupied. It was not until the end of February, 1914, that the colony was fully occupied, and the contractor at once expressed his intention of augmenting the accommodation.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question whether the houses in Jamestown Square are fit to be counted?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I have already stated that I went over to Jamestown Square and formed my own judgment upon the character of the accommodation and contemplated the possibility of its condemnation.

Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Can the right hon. Gentleman state when these new houses will be ready for occupation?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Tenders have already been invited, and I think some of them will be ready by Easter.