HC Deb 13 July 1937 vol 326 cc1043-4
31. Mr. Maclean

asked the Lord Advocate the number of cases which have been before the Sheriff Court in Glasgow in each of the past four years in which the summonses were issued for arrears of house-rent for less than £1, less than £2, and less than £3, respectively?

Mr. Elliot

I regret that the particulars asked for are not available as the records of the sums sued for do not show rent cases separately. It is estimated that the majority of the actions in the small debt court for arrears of rent relate to sums under £5, that the average of such sums is £3 and that cases of less than £1 are very rare.

Mr. Maclean

Is it not the case that decisions and settlements are recorded in the court register when arrived at between sheriff, factor and tenant, and, if they are not, why is this? Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to make that inquiry, because a large number of cases have come to my knowledge of sums under £1 for which tenants are being sued?

Mr. Elliot

What the hon. Member is asking for is the record of the settlements arrived at. His question is down for the sums sued for.

32. Mr. Maclean

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that several house factors are summoning to the Glasgow sheriff courts tenants who are only a few shillings in arrear with their monthly rent, and the legal costs which are added are sometimes equal to the amount of arrears; and whether, in view of the congestion in the sheriff courts, he will take any steps, by legislation or otherwise, to alter this practice?

Mr. Elliot

On the information available to me, it does not appear that there is any practice of the nature suggested in the first part of the question or any consequent congestion of business in the sheriff small debt or ejection courts in Glasgow. If the hon. Member has any further information on the subject, I shall, however, be glad to look into it.

Mr. Maclean

Is it not the case that every day one of the courts of the sheriff in county buildings in. Glasgow has to be set aside for the hearing of cases of arrears of rent; and will the Secretary of State for Scotland take some interest in what is going on in the city, part of which he himself represents?

Mr. Elliot

Already I have offered, if the hon. Member has any information, to discuss it with him.

Mr. Maclean

I will give the right hon. Member some from Kelvingrove.