§ 23. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of dwelling-houses in the city of Glasgow that have been marked for either demolition or closing orders during the past two years; and what steps are taken to provide the people dispossessed of their homes in this way with alternative accommodation?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)The number of dwelling-houses in the city of Glasgow that have been reported on by the medical officer of health as unfit for human habitation during the two years ended 31st March, 1932, is 2,198. As regards the second part of the question, the corporation are engaged in providing new houses in various parts of the city for the accommodation of tenants who are displaced from their homes owing to action taken by the corporation in dealing with the uninhabitable houses.
§ Mr. BUCHANANI am afraid that the hon. Gentleman has not answered the point that I asked as to the numbers 950 to be closed owing to demolition and other reasons. I should like to know the numbers, and also what powers the corporation have to see that the people who are dispossessed are given houses?
§ Mr. SKELTONWith regard to the first part of the supplementary question, I think that the figures I gave covered the whole of the houses, but I will have them looked into again to see if there is any additional information on that point. With regard to the corporation's duty to supply new accommodation, for persons dispossessed, all I can say is that they have a general duty so to do, and it is the duty of the Department of Health in Scotland to see that that general duty is carried out.