HC Deb 09 November 1944 vol 404 cc1531-2
39. Mr. McGovern

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that there are 180 persons as squatters in Waverlie Lane, Cross Shire Street, Greenock, who have no other dwelling and are requested to leave; and if he is making arrangements to have these persons provided with housing accommodation elsewhere in Greenock.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Westwood)

My right hon. Friend is informed that Greenock corporation have obtained court warrants for the eviction of some 27 squatter families, but that no evictions have so far been carried out. He has no power to intervene in the enforcement of these decrees, but he has asked the corporation to take all possible steps to ensure that, as the cases come to be dealt with, undue hardship will be avoided.

Mr. McGovern

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, in view of the circumstances of these 180 persons, the Secretary of State could not encourage the local authority to set up up some temporary houses to accommodate these families, many of whom are war workers?

Mr. Westwood

We shall certainly do anything we can to help the local authority to meet this particular set of circumstances, so far as their powers enable them to do so.

Mr. Buchanan

Is the Minister aware that this is an exceptional case, and that the Secretary of State has power to re- quisition and to see that these people are housed? Is he also aware that some of them have relations who are now in France with the Forces, and would it not be a terrible thing for these soldiers to find their relatives turned out into the street? Will the Secretary of State not exercise the powers he now has?

Mr. Westwood

These powers of requisition we have delegated to the local authorities. They have the power to acquire any premises available which they require for the housing of these people, and they will have the support of the Secretary of State in taking any action in their power to avoid undue hardship in these cases.

Mr. Stephen

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that these people will not be put out in the street?

Mr. Westwood

We have no power to interfere with a decree of the Court, but we are asking the local authority to take what action they can, with a view to avoiding undue hardship.

Mr. Stephen

Will the right hon. Gentleman not give us an assurance that they will not be put out in the street in this cold weather?

Mr. Westwood

I can give no assurance other than that which I have given—that we will take any and every step to assist the local authorities to avoid undue hardship.

Mr. Buchanan

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Secretary of State for Scotland has power to requisition? He may have delegated it, but he can use it if he cares. Will he use those powers now, in order to see that innocent children and other people arc not turned out, in weather like this in Scotland, into the street? In the name of humanity, I ask the Minister if he will exercise his power of requisitioning.

Mr. Westwood

I have already pointed out that this power has been delegated to the local authorities in Scotland. Under any power we have delegated to them, we will endeavour to support them in any action they might require to take.

Mr. McGovern

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.