HC Deb 05 June 1934 vol 290 cc739-40
30. Mr. MILNE

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any action has been taken with regard to the appointment of a Departmental Committee to investigate the subject of vagrancy in Scotland?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)

My right hon. Friend has appointed a Committee on this subject.

The members of the Committee are as follow:

Sir John Lamb, K.C.B., LL.D. (Chairman), lately Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.

George Cruickshank, Esq., County Clerk of East Lothian.

G. P. Laidlaw, Esq., Chairman of Glasgow Council for Community Service in Unemployment.

Provost William Wells Mabon, Jedburgh.

Miss Dorothea Maitland, Welfare worker among vagrants.

Lieut.-Colonel D. Mathers, D.S.O., O.B.E., Secretary to the British Legion (Scotland).

Adam Smail, Esq., Department of Health for Scotland.

Charley Tinker, Esq., Member of County Council of Inverness.

Joseph Westwood, Esq., lately Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.

Mr. George Marshall, of the Department of Health for Scotland, has been appointed Secretary to the Committee.

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will print the terms of reference in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Viscountess ASTOR

Are there more vagrants in Scotland than in England?

Mr. MAXTON

Did the hon. Gentleman make any attempt to get any representative of the vagrants on that committee?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

How is it that we do not get any answers to these very pertinent questions?

Following are the terms of reference of the Committee: To inquire into the conditions under which vagrants and other persons of the wayfaring class are at present living in Scotland and to report as to any steps which might be advisable in order to improve these conditions; also to inquire into the administration of any laws, including by-laws and Regulations, relating to the aforesaid class, including those relating to the relief by Poor Law authorities of wayfaring poor persons, and to suggest any amendments which should be made in such laws, etc., or in their administration.
Forward to