CAMLACHIE AND POLLOK DIVISIONS (UNFIT HOUSES). (Hansard, 23 June 1927)

§ 68. Mr. STEPHEN
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses that have been condemned by the sanitary authority as unfit for human habitation in the Camlachie and Pollok Parliamentary divisions of Glasgow, respectively?

§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Major Elliot)
I am informed that a survey made pre-War by the sanitary authorities showed that 1,300 houses in the Camlachie Parliamentary division were unfit for habitation. Of these 750 have been included in three improvement schemes that have been made by the local authority under Part II of the Housing Act, leaving 550 houses still to be dealt with in that division. A recent survey of the housing conditions in the Pollok Parliamentary division showed that approximately 350 houses were unfit for habitation. Preliminary lists of these and other houses 2038 are being prepared as a first step in the preparation of a further improvement scheme.

§ Mr. STEPHEN
In view of the large number of houses in this condition in the Camlachie division, will the Under-Secretary take steps to expedite the improvements so that there will be houses available for the people in this area?

§ Major ELLIOT
In the hon. Member's division 750 houses have been dealt with, whereas the Pollok division has none, and any grievance that exists, therefore, is in the Pollok division.

§ Mr. STEPHEN
In view of the fact that the problem is so much smaller in the Pollok division and that there is such a high death-rate of infants in the Camlachie division, will the Under-Secretary try to hurry up these improvements in order that some houses may be provided?

§ Mr. WESTWOOD
Who represents the Pollok division, where no houses have been built?

§ Major ELLIOT
As the hon. Member well knows, the erection of houses is a matter for the local authority and not for this House, and neither the hon. Member nor any other hon. Member con claim credit or throw discredit. We are doing our best to accelerate the slum clearance houses, and, if we could have the whole-hearted co-operation of hon. Members opposite, we should get on much faster.

§ Sir JOSEPH NALL
May I ask whether the information in this answer is supplied by the local authorities or whether the Department makes any independent inquiry?

§ Major ELLIOT
It is an inquiry made by the sanitary authority, that is the local authority responsible.