§ 14. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of slum-clearance schemes which have been put forward during the last six months by any Scottish burghs, giving in each case the name of the burgh taking such action; and whether any such schemes and, if so, how many are being held up owing to the difficulty of housing temporarily the dispossessed tenants?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)As the answer to this question is long, I propose, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the answer:The number of areas declared by the local authorities of burghs in Scotland to be clearance areas under Part I of the 831 Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, since the 1st October, 1932, and intimated to the Department of Health for Scotland in terms of Section 1 of the Act is 10. The names of these burghs are Armadale (2 areas); Bo'ness (4 areas); Denny (1 area); and St. Andrews (3 areas). In addition, many local authorities are dealing with insanitary houses by means of demolition and closing orders under Part II of the Act, but intimation of such action does not require to be made to the Department. During the period referred to the Department approved tenders for the erection in 47 burghs of 2,958 houses for the re-housing of persons to be displaced in consequence of action under Parts I or II of the Act. As regards the latter part of the question, alternative accommodation is generally available before the actual displacements take place, and therefore the need for making temporary provision for the accommodation of the dispossessed tenants either from houses in clearance areas or from individual houses dealt with under Part II of the Act does not usually arise.
§ 16. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of applications he has received after 7th December from any local authorities in Scotland for subsidies towards housing sohemes which had already been discussed in part with his Department; and what has been his decision in such cases?
§ Mr. SKELTONI have presumed, I hope correctly, that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to proposals under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, submitted by local authorities to the Department of Health for Scotland on or after 16th December, the date limit under the Scottish Housing Bill for the submission of proposals for the unrestricted subsidy at present available under the Act of 1924. This date is for Scotland the equivalent of 7th December under the English Housing Bill. The number of applications received on or after 16th December in respect of schemes previously discussed in part is seven, covering 62 houses. Of these applications, one covering two houses has been approved, and in the remaining six, covering 60 houses, a decision is still pending.