§ 53. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received representations from local authorities and other bodies in West Lothian as regards the inability of tenants in municipal houses to pay the present rents; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Sir J. GILMOURRepresentations on this subject have been made to me by the West Lothian Divisional Labour Party and to the. Scottish Board of Health by the local authorities of the Burghs of Bo'ness and Armadale. The fixing of the rents of municipal houses rests with the local authorities, and the approval of the central authority is required only in the case of such houses if built under the Housing and Town Planning, etc. (Scotland), Act, 1919. The application by the local authority of Bo'ness for reduction of the rents of houses erected under this Act was refused after full consideration by the Scottish Board of Health, and the application by the local authority of Armadale is under consideration. Any representations by private bodies must be made to the local authority.
§ Mr. SHINWELLHaving regard to the excessive unemployment and destitution in Armadale, will the right hon. Gentle man give the request of these local authorities favourable consideration?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThis matter is receiving the consideration of the Board of Health, and I cannot express any opinion upon it at the present moment.