§ 39. Mr. MILLARasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether, in view of the present vacant accommodation in Scottish poor-houses, which amounted to 8,467 out of a total available accommodation of 20,270 in 1921 and to 7,259 out of a total available accommodation of 20,198 in 1922, he is prepared to consider as to the closing of some of the poor-houses and the transfer of their occupants to poor-houses where sufficient vacant accommodation is available, and thus to relieve the 2146 ratepayers of the burden of rates involved in the maintenance and upkeep of poorhouses where the accommodation greatly exceeds the existing needs of the district?
§ Captain ELLIOTThe matter of surplus poor-house accommodation has for some time been under consideration by the Scottish Board of Health. Within the past few years five poor-houses have been closed, and I understand that proposals for the closing of two others are now being considered. The closure of a poor-house is, of course, primarily a matter for the parish council or the combination of parish councils owning the poor-house to decide. The total figure of vacant accommodation throughout the whole country is not a reliable indication of the extent to which it would be possible to relinquish poor-houses. It is necessary to examine in detail the figures for each poor-house.
§ Mr. MILLARWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman give an undertaking that he will examine the detailed figures for the various poor-houses with a view to giving relief to the ratepayers?
§ Captain ELLIOTIt is primarily a matter for the parish council if it does not wish to keep up the poor-house.
§ Mr. BUCHANANSeeing that the more enlightened parish councils have abolished the words pauper and poorhouse, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman and hon. Members in putting questions follow their example?