§ 2. Captain ARCHIBALD RAMSAYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated number of persons living in overcrowded conditions in Scotland; and what is the estimated percentage of this number that will be affected in the next five years by schemes so far submitted by local authorities?
§ Mr. SKELTONThere is no general statutory standard of overcrowding in Scotland. According to the Census Returns of 1931, however, there were 697,469 persons, or 14.9 per cent. of the population, living more than three persons to a room. As regards the latter part of the question, the programmes submitted by local authorities show the numbers of houses proposed to be erected to abate overcrowding, without detailing the numbers of persons affected, and I regret therefore that the information asked for is not available.
§ Captain RAMSAYWill the hon. Gentleman have an inquiry made into this matter in order to get an estimate as to whether the problem that we are out to solve is going to be solved on the plan that we are now considering?
§ Mr. SKELTONI will consider that suggestion.
§ Miss HORSBRUGHIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied with the programmes that are being submitted, and does he think that the houses will be built quickly enough?
§ Mr. SKELTONProgrammes are not due for submission until the end of this month. My information is that they are coming in very well. A general review of them will not take place until they have all been submitted.