§ 35. Mr. MILLARasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health how far the recommendations of the Royal Housing Commission, Scotland, relating to housing in rural areas have been carried into effect; and what steps, if any, have been taken to secure the provision of proper and sanitary housing accommodation for farm workers?
§ Captain ELLIOTI am unable to state to what extent local authorities and private individuals have given effect to the recommendations of the Commission in regard to rural housing, including accommodation for farm workers. So far as action by the State is concerned, provision was made in the Housing and Town Planning, etc. (Scotland), Act, 1919, to increase the powers of local authorities in regard, for example, to the provision of water supply and sanitary conveniences, the repair of defective houses and the control over the erection of new houses. The provisions of the Act empowering local authorities to grant loans to owners for the improve- 2335 merit of existing houses and requirng them to prepare housing schemes applied to the authorities of county as well as of urban areas. A number of houses has also been provided for farm workers under the private builders subsidy-scheme.
§ Mr. MILLARIs the Department, as recommended by the Royal Commission, going to undertake a complete survey of cottages in Scotland and see that steps are taken by the health officers to see that they are kept in a proper state?
§ Captain ELLIOTLocal authorities have been given very extensive powers. There are some 31 recommendations by the Royal Commission on Housing which we have put into effect so far as we have been able to do so.
§ Mr. MILLARHas a survey of these cottages as yet been completed?
§ Captain ELLIOTI am unable to answer that question without notice.