§ 27. Lieut.-Colonel Sir JOHN GILMOURasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his negotiations with a view to securing a settlement of the difficulties in Clydebank have been continued; and whether any progress has been made?
Mr. ADAMSONI am still in negotiation, and am not in a position to add to my reply to the right hon. and gallant Member on the 17th July.
§ Sir J. GILMOURIs there any prospect at all of any progress being made; and will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that if no progress is made the local authorities will be put into a serious position with regard to assessment for rating? Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any prospect to them?
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this morning's Scottish papers there appears the announcement that to-day evictions are being asked for against tenants in arrears in Clydebank, and whether this position will not give rise to great trouble in that district and cause an extra burden to be thrown on the local authorities? What steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking in this matter?
Mr. ADAMSONI had not heard of the information which has just been conveyed by the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan). In reply to my right hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Pollok (Sir J. Gilmour), while negotiations are in progress there is always hope of settlement.
§ Sir J. GILMOURDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that an answer of that character will be sufficient for a local authority which will be compelled, if there is no payment and if the rates are owing, to assess at a much higher rate the remaining part of the community in the district?
Mr. ADAMSONThe local authority referred to by my right hon. and gallant 1878 Friend is aware that I have been doing all that it is possible for man to do to effect a settlement in this matter.
§ Mr. HOPEMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman has any other impersonated difficulties behind him which he would like to settle, but cannot?