§ 35. Mr. N. MACLEANasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that a large number of houses in Thurso have been reported by the local sanitary inspector as unfit for occupation; that 52 tenants have appealed to the local council to put in operation their powers to compel the property owners to put the houses in a reasonable condition for occupancy; that the council has declined to interfere; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction that prevails among a large number of tenants, he will call for the reports of the sanitary inspector to be submitted to the Scottish Office for investigation?
§ Mr. MUNROI think that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The report in question was not a report that the houses were unfit for occupation, but a report for the purposes of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920, to the effect that the houses were not in such a state of repair as to entitle the owners to the increase in rent permitted by the Act. The Town Council took the action appropriate upon such a report, and issued the necessary certificates. I see no reason to take any further steps in the matter.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not a fact that some of these houses, particularly the ones referred to in the question, were included in the report, and that increases of rent are being taken from those 1159 occupying the houses, and the Town Council of Thurso are not taking any action in the matter?