§ 20. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of local authorities which have within the last six months reduced the rents of their subsidy-built houses; and whether, in cases where such reductions are made, the local authorities, who ought to do so, have assured themselves that the tenants who benefit are really the poorest classes of the community rather than those who may be able to pay the extra charges?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)So far as I am aware, 10 local authorities in Scot- 984 land have reduced the rents of subsidy-built houses within the last six months. As regards the second part of the question, the letting of houses and the rents to be charged in individual cases are matters within the discretion of the local authority, subject to an aggregate rental being obtained in accordance with the provisions of the Acts of 1919, 1924, and 1930. The approval of the Department of Health for Scotland is not required to the allocation of that aggregate rental as between individual tenants.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREWill my hon. Friend recommend to the local authorities that houses shall only be built under those Acts under which a house can be built which will give adequate accommodation at an economic rent?
§ 22. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the action which the Department of Health is taking with regard to the construction of houses at Irvine; whether he is aware that this council has built more houses than almost any other town in Scotland in proportion to its population; and whether he can state the percentage of local rates now entailed by subsidised housing schemes which the burgh has already undertaken?
§ Mr. SKELTONI am aware that the local authority of the Burgh of Irvine have pursued a progressive policy in regard to the provision of houses, but in view of the need for further accommodation in the burgh as disclosed by the general statement submitted by the local authority in terms of subsection two of Section 22 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, and of a complaint made to the Department of Health in terms of Section 37 of that Act, the Department are at present in communication with the local authority regarding the matter. As regards the last part of the question, I am informed that the local authority estimate that the percentage of local rates now entailed by subsidised housing schemes is 4.87, equivalent to a rate of 7.18d. in the £.
§ 25. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that houses occupied by over 40 tenants at Commercial Road, Glasgow, have been condemned as unfit for human habitation and the tenants ordered out of their homes; that the local authority have 985 refused to provide alternative homes; that this will cause suffering, particularly to the children; and if he will take steps to see that other homes are provided for the people?
§ Mr. SKELTONI am aware that 44 houses at 89-91, Commercial Road, Glasgow, are the subject of a Demolition Order passed by the local authority, and the Department of Health have for some time been in communication with the local authority regarding the provision of alternative accommodation for the persons to be displaced in consequence of the Order. A further communication was addressed to the local authority on the 26th instant on this point and the result of their further consideration of the matter is now awaited.
§ Mr. BUCHANANMight I ask on this matter that nothing should be done to put these people out until some alternative form of accommodation is provided?
§ Mr. SKELTONAs my hon. Friend knows, I am doing all I can in the matter, keeping in view the powers of the Department.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the Undersecretary also take into consideration the fact that when 44 families are put out a question of public peace arises and that must have some consideration?
§ Mr. SKELTONI am quite aware that to displace 44 families would be a serious matter, and that is one of the points that I shall keep very closely in view.
§ The number of Agricultural Workers in Scotland and Perthshire, as returned on 4th June in each of the years 1929, 1930 and 1931, is as follows:
| — | Regular Workers. | Casual Workers. | Total. | |||||
| Males. | Females. | Males. | Females. | |||||
| 1929 | ||||||||
| Scotland | … | … | … | 82,074 | 19,009 | 9,521 | 7,430 | 118,034 |
| Perthshire | … | … | … | 5,724 | 715 | 630 | 572 | 7,641 |
| 1930. | ||||||||
| Scotland | … | … | … | 80,715 | 18,582 | 8,995 | 7,216 | 115,508 |
| Perthshire | … | … | … | 5,613 | 649 | 552 | 511 | 7,325 |
| 1931. | ||||||||
| Scotland | … | … | … | 79,370 | 18,060 | 8,203 | 6,833 | 112,466 |
| Perthshire | … | … | … | 5,434 | 655 | 525 | 473 | 7,087 |