§ 75. Mr. GALLACHERasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the recently published report of the deputy medical officer of health for the county of Fife and 237 the statements therein concerning overcrowding in almost all centres of population, including Valleyfield, Oakley, Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly, Glencraig, Auchterderran and Cardenden; and what steps he proposes to take in consultation with the local and county authorities to mitigate this state of affairs?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Wedderburn)Yes, Sir. The Department of Health are in constant communication with the local authorities for the places referred to in the question in order to secure that the greatest possible progress is maintained in the provision of additional houses for the relief of overcrowding. I am sending the hon. Member a table giving particulars of the number of houses required in these districts and the proposals so far received from the local authorities to meet these needs.
§ Mr. GALLACHERI have had a talk with the local authorities and I have had plans, but I would like to know whether the Scottish Office cannot do anything further than they are doing to accelerate and facilitate this work?
Mr. WEDDERBURNThe Scottish Office are doing everything they can to accelerate housing in all districts. If the hon. Member will look at the table I am sending him, he will see that at least a beginning has been made in the districts to which he refers.