HC Deb 28 June 1938 vol 337 cc1682-3
20. Mr. Maxton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that at the Glasgow eviction court, when a decision is given to evict a tenant from his house, the decision is given as settled with the factor; that the tenant usually thinks this is not final, but means that he is to make an attempt to find a settlement, and in this he has failed to understand a decree for eviction was made; whether he will take steps to have this altered so that the tenant will be under no disadvantage in following the decision; and whether he will also take steps to see that in all such cases the decision is given in writing?

Mr. Colville

I am informed by the Sheriff that where a decree of eviction is pronounced by the Sheriff Substitute in favour of the pursuer, with whom its enforcement rests, the tenant may sometimes be told to see if he can come to a settlement with the pursuer to obviate its enforcement. This suggestion which is made in the interest of the tenant, should not give rise to misunderstanding. The decrees are given in writing.

Mr. Cassells

Is it not a well-known fact that in these eviction cases the individual tenants definitely have the right of suspension proceedings, and would it not be better to make that fact known to the tenants throughout the whole of Scotland?

Mr. Thorne

Where do these evicted tenants go after they have been evicted?

Mr. Maxton

Will the Minister personally investigate this, as I am quite sure his information is not exact, and this really is a scandal that ought to be investigated?

Mr. Colville

Here, again, my information is that the suggestion which is made by the court is in the interests of the tenant, but I am prepared to examine the procedure in order to see whether it works satisfactorily.

Mr. Thorne

Can the Minister state where these evicted tenants go? Do they go to prison, or to the workhouse?