§ Captain ARCHIBALD RAMSAY(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give the House any further information concerning the houses in the village of Cousland, Midlothian, which are the property of an English company, called the Cement Marketing Company, and of which the water supply and sanitary arrangements have been in a disgraceful condition for some considerable time?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)An officer of the Department of Health has inspected the houses in question, and, when I have received and considered his report, I shall communicate with my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. THORNEMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether the local authorities in Scotland have the same powers as local authorities in England, and, if so, could not they make the company in question put their houses in order?
§ Mr. SKELTONI think that any question on the comparative powers of local authorities should be put down on the Order Paper. Scottish local authorities have some powers, but I do not compare them with the English.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIn the event of the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland finding that the conditions in this village are as reported in the question, will he then put into force the power he possesses to see that the sanitary arrangements in this village are in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Health Department of Scotland?
§ Mr. SKELTONEven on the last day before the Recess, I must refrain from answering a hypothetical question.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIt is not a hypothetical question. Is the hon. Gentleman not refuting the statements made by the hon. and gallant Member?