HC Deb 13 July 1937 vol 326 cc1037-40
19. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a unanimous decision was passed by the Fife County Council in favour of a conference in Edinburgh of Scottish Members of Parliament and representatives of burgh and county councils to consider the serious problem of housing; and will he give further consideration to this proposal?

Mr. Elliot

I am informed that the Fife County Council have not reached any such decision. With regard to the second part of the question, I regret that I am not in a position to add anything to the answer given to the question by the hon. Member on this subject on 29th June.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that I have been informed on the very best authority that the decision was made and I am quite satisfied that it would be supported by every other council? Will he therefore not arrange such a conference in view of the serious situation?

Mr. Elliot

I specially rang up the clerk of the County Council of Fife and was told that they had not come to this decision.

25. Mr. Buchanan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses in the Gorbals Division which are either condemned as being slums or unfit for human habitation, and the number of houses in which families are overcrowded; and the figures for last year?

Mr. Elliot

I am informed that the number of houses in the Gorbals Division which are being dealt with under the Housing Acts as unfit for human habitation or are at present on the Corporation's list awaiting such action is 1,773, and that the corresponding number a year ago was 1,799. The latest available information with regard to the number of overcrowded houses in the division was obtained as a result of the overcrowding survey at the end of 1935 when the number was 7,619.

Mr. Buchanan

At this rate of progress, which represents less than 100, can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of overtaking arrears?

Mr. Elliot

The progress is extremely unsatisfactory. We are in constant communication with the local authority as to how it can be expedited.

Mr. Buchanan

Are we to take it that these people are to live there for ever?

26. Mr. Buchanan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state the number of houses now being built by the Corporation of Glasgow; the number which are for slum clearance, the number for overcrowding, and the number of ordinary houses; and how this compares with the same date last year?

Mr. Elliot

As the reply involves a table of figures I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I regret that it is not possible to show separately the numbers of houses being built for slum clearance and for the relief of overcrowding as the Corporation are dealing with these problems together and the purpose for which particular houses are to be used is not determined till the houses are completed.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that this Socialist local authority is genuinely endeavouring to overcome the appalling housing conditions existing in their city?

Number of Houses at
Number of Houses being built 30th June, 1936. 30th June, 1937.
Under construction. Contracted for but not begun. Under Construction. contracted for but not begun.
With State Assistance—For Slum Clearance and the relief of Overcrowding. 2,437 1,318 2,637 2,080
Without State Assistance … 250 98 202 —
2,687 1,416 2,839 2,080
27. Mr. Buchanan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of applications which have been received by the Corporation of Glasgow for houses; the figure on the same date last year; and the number of the same periods from the Gorbals division?

Mr. Elliot

The corporation estimate that the approximate number of live applications in hand for houses was at the end of June, 1936, 61,000; and at the end of June, 1937, 70,000. I regret that I am unable to state how many of the applications were from the Gorbals division.

28. Mr. Stephen

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the tenants of the property at 155, Orr Street, Glasgow, are being threatened with eviction from their homes; whether these houses have been condemned as unfit for human habitation; and whether any steps are being taken to see that the tenants are provided with houses at rents within their capacity to pay?

Mr. Elliot

I am informed that the houses have not been condemned by the Corporation of Glasgow as unfit for human habitation. I have no information regarding the threatened eviction. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer to the answer given to the hon. Member on this subject on 8th July.

Mr. Stephen

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these are poor people,

Mr. Maclean

Is not the state of housing in Glasgow the work of the Tory majority?

Following is the table:

and will he arrange for their being granted legal assistance to protect them against these notices?

Mr. Elliot

I shall discuss all these questions with the Lord Advocate.