HC Deb 09 February 1932 vol 261 cc647-8
40. Mr. BUCHANAN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has carried out any investigations into the working of the Courts dealing with small debts and rents in the City of Glasgow; if he has interviewed the public assistance committee of Glasgow with regard to relief; and if he can make a statement as to the result of any action he has taken?

Mr. SKELTON

In answer to the first part of the question, arrangements have been made to secure monthly returns of the number of ejections carried out in Glasgow, and since I spoke on the 9th December on the Adjournment I have learned that 458 ejections were carried out by sheriff officers in the eight months ending 31st January, 1932. I may add that I paid a visit during the Recess to the ejection court in accordance with the promise made to the hon. Gentleman in my speech. With regard to the second part of the question, I met the convener, the vice-convener and the chief officials of the public assistance committee and accompanied by them saw the poor relief and transitional payments systems at work. May I add that what I saw confirmed me in the view I expressed in the Debate on the Adjournment? With regard to the third part of the question, I have not considered it necessary to take any action.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In view of the appalling number of over 450 ejections in a month in the City of Glasgow—

Mr. SKELTON

In eight months.

Mr. BUCHANAN

—in eight months, may I ask if the hon. Gentleman has made any inquiries on the other point that I put, namely, the number of people who are virtually evicted but who do not wait until the actual decree is carried out?

Mr. SKELTON

I have not been able to get any information on that point, but the hon. Member will recollect that I made it clear in the Debate on the Adjournment that a good number of eviction cases were in fact dealt with by the public assistance authorities after the decrees had been issued by way of assistance in the payment of rent.

Mr. MAXTON

Has the hon. Gentleman any information as to the number of individuals, men, women, and children, who were rendered homeless by these 450 evictions?

Mr. SKELTON

No. I have given the House the information that I have on that point.

Mr. BUCHANAN

On his visit, did the hon. Gentleman not think that something might be done in the way of some allocation of time in connection with the calling of cases at the courts?

Mr. SKELTON

The question of calling cases is, so far as I know, in all courts a matter of some difficulty, but that is not a point to which, so far, my attention has been directed. I should be glad to consider it and to see whether any suggestion could he made by the sheriff. May I say that when I have an opportunity of paying visits to familiarise myself with public activities in Scotland, these must not be termed investigations?