§ 69. Dr. FORGANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the closure of houses in Elderslie, Thornliebank, Neilston, and elsewhere in 1082 the county of Renfrew, represented by the medical officer of health as unfit for human habitation, is being held up by legal difficulties, and that houses which have been made the subject of closing orders are still occupied; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy these matters?
Mr. W. ADAMSONThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, I understand that out of 51 tenants affected by closing orders in the area referred to by my hon. Friend, 13 have not obeyed an order to quit. In view of the poverty of these 13 tenants, no proceedings for recovery of the penalty imposed by the statute have been taken. I am in consultation with the Lord Advocate as to the steps that should be taken.