§ 4. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many large houses in Greenock are unoccupied; and when steps are to be taken to requisition these houses in order to make provision for families that have been rendered homeless?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am informed that there are five large unoccupied houses in Greenock Burgh. It has not so far been found necessary to requisition any houses for the purpose mentioned.
§ Mr. GibsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are families in Greenock that have been rendered homeless and have been for a month in the poorhouse while internees have been regaled in first-class hotels: and will he see to it that something like justice is done to these families?
§ Mr. BrownThe facts are that six houses in one tenement were demolished, and three in an adjoining tenement were considered to be unsafe. In these houses there were nine tenants, four sub-tenants, and two lodgers. The town clerk of Greenock states that the tenants of these houses have all been offered houses; and therefore, it is not necessary to requisition any houses.
§ Mr. GibsonHas not the right hon. Gentleman found it to be the case that there are families that have been rendered homeless and have been in the poorhouse in Greenock during that period, and will he see to it that these houses are repaired as soon as possible on something like the standard in Southern England, where repair gangs are on to the houses within two hours of the damage being done?
§ Mr. BrownThat is a matter for the local authorities and not for me in the first instance; but the tenants have been offered houses, and as I understand it, the issue is that certain of them have been offered houses but desire houses in other areas.