HC Deb 02 May 1934 vol 289 cc306-8
36. Mr. LEONARD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that a complaint was lodged on the 31st January, 1933, and a copy sent to the Department of Health, regarding the structural, sanitary, and other defects of the farm of Udale, Ross and Cromarty, and that the local authority decided that it was not reasonably practicable to introduce water into the houses or to provide water closets, and that on the 29th December, 1033, his Department reported that its engineering inspector had advised that it was reasonably practicable to provide water closets and introduce water; and whether any steps have been taken to force the local authority to carry out its statutory duties?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the county council have taken steps to secure the introduction of water into the houses, and the provision of a chemical closet for each house. With regard to the third part, there is no further action which, in the circumstances of this case, I can take.

Sir IAN MACPHERSON

When making that investigation, will my right hon. Friend also have investigated the innumerable defects, sanitary and otherwise, in the constituency of St. Rollox?

Mr. LEONARD

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the fact that water is already available about 50 yards from this point, and therefore chemical closets are not necessary?

Sir G. COLLINS

I understand that the steps taken by the county council are in their opinion sufficient, that water is being taken into the house and that the particular type of closet is suitable.

37. Mr. LEONARD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that complaints were lodged with the Moray County Council in respect of houses on Seafield, Netherton, and Waterford farms on 25th March, 1932, and Grange-hall on 29th March, 1932, that on 15th November, 1932, the local authority intimated that it did not propose to take any action because it considered the complaints trivial; and that the matter was reported to the Department of Health on 17th November, 1932, who, on 1st April, 1933, intimated that an independent inspection would be made by one of its housing inspectors; whether this independent inspection disclosed that the statutory requirements were not fulfilled in respect of the houses complained about; and, if so, what action he proposes to take to see that the local authority carries out its statutory duties?

Sir G. COLLINS

The answers to the first three parts of the question are in the affirmative. With regard to the fourth part, the inspection disclosed that the houses were to some extent defective; and I understand that the proprietor is at present proceeding to carry out the improvements recommended by the county sanitary inspector. In these circumstances I do not propose at this stage to take further action.

38. Mr. LEONARD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the farm of Easter Moy, Muir of Ord, was the subject of a complaint as to water supply, lodged with the local authority on 19th November, 1927, and sent to the Department of Health on 19th March, 1928; that the local authority in October, 1932, decided that water could not be supplied nearer the houses than at present; that the occupier lodged an appeal under Section 38 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1930, on 5th November, 1932; that in December, 1932, the Department of Health decided to hold a local inquiry in the week commencing 9th January, 1933, but subsequently decided not to hold an inquiry because the proprietor proposed to provide a water supply; and whether, seeing that on 29th December, 1933, the engineering inspector of the department reported that water could be brought into the house, he will state what action he now proposes to take in the matter?

Sir G. COLLINS

The answers to the first four parts of the question are in the affirmative. With regard to the fifth part, I am informed that the proprietor has applied for a grant under the Housing (Rural Workers) Acts, 1926 and 1931, in order to provide a water supply, and that this application is at present under consideration by the county council.

Mr. LEONARD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proprietor of this farm gave an undertaking in January, 1933, to remedy the defect and this stopped the inquiry proposed by the Department; that since then the proprietor has taken no action; and is he further aware that this complaint goes back to 1927?

Sir G. COLLINS

I understand that this matter has been lying over for some time. As the hon. Member will gather from my answer, a definite application has now come before the county council, and in those circumstances I can take no further steps at the moment.