§ 7. Mr. WESTWOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the County of Berwick have agreed to build 13 houses during the next three years; and, in view of the ascertained housing needs of the county, whether he will call the attention of the county authorities to the necessity of increasing their programme?
§ 12. Mr. JOHN PALINasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Berwickshire County Council have resolved to build 13 houses in the next three years; and whether he will inquire into the matter and take steps to enforce the provisions of the Housing Acts?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Johnston)In the statement of housing proposals first submitted by the County Council of Berwick in terms of Section 22 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, the number of houses which they proposed to build during the next three years was 13. The statement showed that 133 houses were required to meet the needs of the district, 91 being required to replace houses unfit for human habitation. Representations were made by the Department of Health for Scotland with the result that the County Council agreed to increase the number of houses to be erected to 48. The Department, however, have written expressing disappointment with this proposal and have urged the County Council to adopt a three years' programme which will provide a number of houses approximating more closely to the number stated to be required.
§ 8. Mr. WESTWOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, seeing that the medical officer of health for Midlothian has declared that 711 houses are required to meet the deficiency of houses in the county and that the county council have only agreed to provide 140 houses 1833 during the next three years, what action he proposes to compel the county council to deal with this situation?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONMy right hon. Friend is aware of the estimated deficiency stated in the hon. Member's question. The Department of Health for Scotland have made representations to the county council of Midlothian as to the inadequacy of their proposals for the erection of houses during the next three years, and have asked them to consider the erection of a much larger number of houses than the number at present proposed. On receipt of the county council's reply, the question as to what further action, if any, should be taken will be considered.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs the hon. Gentleman prepared to address a conference of housing authorities in Midlothian, if such a conference is convened by the county council of Midlothian?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONYes, Sir. We have indicated our willingness to explain the 1930 Act at any housing conference called by any county council in Scotland.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs the hon. Gentleman prepared also to explain the advantages of the Rural Housing Act along with the 1930 Act?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONCertainly, Sir. We have always done so.
§ . Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the declared intention of the town council of Ayr to postpone building houses to meet the shortage disclosed in the recent survey by the medical officer of health; and whether he proposes to hold a public inquiry as provided for in the recent Housing Act?
§ 10. Mr. JAMES WELSH (Paisley)asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of the town council of Ayr to decline to build further houses meantime to meet the needs of the town, as disclosed in the report of the medical officer of Health; and if he will say what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONMy right hon. Friend is aware of the decision of the town council of Ayr to delay consideration of the question of the erection of 1834 houses under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930. The town council itself has estimated that 648 houses are required, 221 of which are to replace houses unfit for human habitation. The Department of Health for Scotland on 16th February urged the town council to reconsider their decision to delay building operations, but, unfortunately, without effect. The local authority have now been requested to furnish the Department with a statement of their reasons for not proceeding with the erection of houses under the Act, and when that statement is received consideration will be given to the question of what further action should be taken in the matter, including, if necessary, the holding of a public local inquiry.
§ Mr. HARDIEIn the event of the town council of Ayr failing to comply with the requirements shown by the survey of the medical officer, is it the intention of the Department to take the matter out of the hands of the council, and to go on with the work?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONNo, Sir. The powers vested in the Secretary of State by the 1930 Act can only be put into operation after a local inquiry under the terms of the Act, and it will be necessary to consider, when we get a reply from the Ayr Town Council, whether such inquiry should be held.
§ Mr. McSHANECan the hon. Gentleman say whether rents are still being obtained for the 221 houses which have been declared unfit?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONI expect so, but I could not answer without notice.