§ 10. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Second Scottish National Housing Company have terminated the tenancy, for 28th May, of a steel house at 1805 Sandyhills, in which Mr. James Kirkpatrick, 58, Glenalmond Street, resided since May, 1931, because he has lost his situation; that they ordered the sequestration and sale of his furniture because he was one month in arrears of his February rent, which has now been paid; whether he is aware that Mr. Kirkpatrick served in the Army from 3rd September, 1914, to 28th January, 1919; that Mr. Kirkpatrick's case was so strong that the Glasgow Corporation housing department have, after inquiry, consented to offer him a house in one of their housing schemes; and whether he will arrange to have the eviction order cancelled?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am informed that the Second Scottish National Housing Company terminated Mr. Kirkpatrick's tenancy of the steel house at Sandyhills occupied by him since May, 1932, because of his repeated failures, despite warnings, to pay his rent at the proper time. He was believed by the company to be in regular employment. A small debt summons was taken out on 27th March to recover rent of £7 due at 15th February, but the amount due was paid on 31st March before the case was called in court. At the same time a summons was taken out to secure payment in respect of the quarter's rent due at 15th May. This rent was however paid punctually, and no further action was taken. Mr. Kirkpatrick left the steel house at Sandyhills last week, having obtained tenancy of a house from Glasgow Corporation.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIs the Secretary of State aware that over that period of 5½ years the rent of the house was never more than a month in arrears at any time, and that the reason given by the house factor for the eviction was that the man had lost his job and had no guarantee of being able to pay the rent? Does the Secretary of State not think it a serious state of affairs that Government money supplied for the building of houses should be used for the purpose of evicting a man because he has lost his job, after he served over four years in the Army during the War?
§ Sir G. COLLINSGovernment money is not used for building houses from which to evict persons under the terms indicated by the hon. Member. This particular tenant was behindhand with his rent on several occasions, and, in view 1806 of that, those responsible for the houses took the action they did.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Glasgow Corporation, after inquiry, were prepared to give this man a house, showing the justice of the man's claim, and, apart from that, will the right hon. Gentleman give a guarantee that in future no tenant will be evicted from a house merely because he is a week or two in arrears with his rent?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI have made inquiries into this case, and I am informed that this particular individual had been warned and had refused to pay the rent at the proper time on several occasions. I have no information as to the terms on which the Glasgow Corporation let houses.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a private factor would be far more lenient in a case like this; and will he give orders to this company that they should, at least, be as generous in their treatment of their tenants as ordinary factors?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe information which I have does not show that this particular company, which is a private company, acted more harshly than the ordinary factor would have acted in a case of this kind.
§ Mr. McGOVERNI wish to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity.