§ 3. Mr. GUYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the annual wastage of houses in Scotland caused by demolition, closing orders, fire, etc., for the years 1929, 1930, and 1931?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)According to returns received from local authorities by the Department of Health for Scotland, the numbers of houses which were the subject of demolition or closing orders, or other similar procedure for securing closure under the Housing (Scotland) Acts, in the years 1929, 1930 and 1931 were 3,087, 2,295 and 2,982, respectively. In addition, considerable numbers of houses were demolished or closed under Improvement Schemes framed in terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1925, but details of the numbers of such houses for the years in question are not available. I have no information as to the wastage caused by fire or other causes.
§ 6. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet in a position to state the result of his inquiry into the position of over 40 tenants at Commercial Road, Glasgow, who are threatened with eviction from their homes owing to the Glasgow Corporation having decided to clear this area; and if the corporation are providing alternative homes?
§ Mr. SKELTONI am informed that the Glasgow Corporation have resolved to offer alternative accommodation to the family occupants of the property at 89–91, Commercial Road, Glasgow, but that no action is proposed for the rehousing of the other persons at present residing there.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the fact that some of these people are elderly couples with no families, cannot the hon. Gentleman make further representations to the Glasgow Corporation to reconsider their decision, as it is a terrible hardship to people who have been there for a number of years to be turned on to the streets?
§ Mr. SKELTONI will consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend, but I think that he will agree that so far the corporation have acted with great consideration towards the families. Whether there are certain special classes as opposed to single persons, I do not for a moment know, but I will see what can be done.