HC Deb 12 July 1938 vol 338 cc1094-6
22. Mr. McGovern

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will instruct the Second Scottish Housing Company to reduce the house rents at Sandy-hills and Springboig steel-housing schemes, in view of the recent reductions of about £3 per year by the Glasgow Corporation on houses of a like size and type at the adjoining estates of Sandyhills and Carntyne and that previous Secretaries of State have laid it down that the rents must be regulated by the rents of houses of a similar type in the area?

Mr. Colville

In terms of their agreement with the Department of Health for Scotland the company are, as the hon. Member is aware, required to fix their ments by reference to the rents charged for similar accommodation in the district. I have no doubt that due consideration will be given to the proposed reduction referred to in the question which, I am informed, does not take place until 28th August next.

Mr. McGovern

Is the Secretary of State aware that he is badly informed, as a £2 reduction has already taken place in my own house, and that a further reduction is to take place in August? As these steel houses are not up to the standard of brick houses will the right hon. Gentleman urge substantial reductions with a view to complying with the regulations laid down by the Secretary of State?

Mr. Colville

As I have said, by agreement with the Department this company is bound to take into account the rent of houses in the neighbourhood, and that reductions will be taken into account.

Mr. McGovern

Will the Minister make representations on this point?

Mr. Colville

I have not undertaken to make representations but I can assure the hon. Member that the company will be made aware of these reductions.

24. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the attention of local authorities in Scotland has been drawn to the need for special provisions in the rehousing of families which include one or more tuberculous members; and whether he is aware that at the present time many patients whose condition has been substantially improved in sanatoria rapidly lose all the ground they have gained when they return to houses which should be subjected to slum clearance?

Mr. Colville

I am aware that bad housing conditions may sometimes be responsible for a deterioration in the health of persons discharged from sanatoria and the Department of Health have advised local authorities in connexion with their rehousing operations to take account of the presence of tuberculous persons in particular households in view of the desirability of such persons having a room to themselves.

Sir T. Moore

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that other members of the family are liable to infection when these people return from a sanatorium?

Mr. Buchanan

Will the Secretary of State circularise local authorities again on this matter in view of its importance?

Mr. Colville

Fairly recently this matter was brought to their notice, but I will look into it again.