§ 70. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Corporation of Glasgow has been taking over the playing fields of junior football clubs in Glasgow for the extension of housing schemes, and that some of these fields have been used by the clubs for 40 years; and whether, in order to preserve the amenities of their housing schemes, he will arrange for permission to be given to the clubs now threatened with dispossession to continue using the playing fields and club grounds?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEOwing to the scarcity of building land, the Corporation of Glasgow have been obliged to acquire ground for housing purposes which, in whole or in part, has been used by football clubs. Most of the clubs are understood to have secured new accommodation elsewhere. The question of providing open spaces and of allowing the clubs to remain in possession pending the development of the ground 255 with new houses is a matter for the Corporation to decide. I understand that in one case the arrangements made by the Corporation would permit the club to continue its activities for the present.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that the Secretary of State for Scotland promised, in replying to an Amendment which I moved when the last Housing Act was under discussion, to get into touch with the corporations in Scotland with a view to getting them to lay out playing fields in connection with their new housing schemes, so that there would be plenty of provision made for amenities?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI will look into that point, but in general it is the duty of a local authority to consider the provision of open spaces in the layout of housing schemes.