HC Deb 17 March 1936 vol 310 cc206-7
15. Mr. MAXTON

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many reports on the state of overcrowding in Scotland he has now received; what percentage of the total number is still to come; and whether he will publish the facts in his hands?

Sir G. COLLINS

Reports have been received from 16 county councils and 181 town councils. The percentage of the total number of reports still outstanding is 13.6. I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a summary of the information furnished in the reports so far received.

Mr. MAXTON

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to get all the reports in?

Sir G. COLLINS

We are receiving them daily and the Department is in constant touch with all local authorities from whom we have not yet received reports. I am unable to give any specific date at the moment.

Following is the summary:

a position to form any estimate of the need in Scotland for the provision of houses for young persons desirous of becoming married and for other people who require homes, but who cannot be provided for either under the slum clearance clauses in the Act of 1930 or the overcrowding clauses in the Act of 1935; and what steps he intends to take in the matter?

Sir G. COLLINS

The reports which I have already received show that the operations of local authorities in dealing with overcrowding will release a considerable number of smaller houses suitable for occupation by the persons referred to. On the information at present available, special action on my part would not appear to be necessary to deal with the matter.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Has the right hon. Gentleman not received from any number of local authorities very strong protests that they are unable, with their present powers, to meet the very urgent circumstances that are indicated in the question?

Sir G. COLLINS

I have undoubtedly received complaints from many local authorities but, when they saw me recently in Edinburgh, I thought they had not appreciated sufficiently that, in building houses to cope with overcrowding, they would release smaller houses for the persons referred to in the question.