HC Deb 04 December 1951 vol 494 cc2211-2
11. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the frequency with which tenement properties are subsiding in Glasgow, particularly in the Tradeston Division, he will increase the housing allocation for this city.

Mr. J. Stuart

All relevant factors, including, where appropriate, the need for accommodation to rehouse dispossessed families, are taken into account in fixing each local authority's allocation. I am prepared to increase the allocation in any district where the progress made with house building so justifies.

Mr. Rankin

What steps does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take to strengthen the powers of local authorities in dealing with the owners of these semi-derelict properties? At present, the local authority has not sufficient power to compel owners to keep these properties in a reasonable state of repair.

Mr. Stuart

That is a rather different question, but I assure the hon. Member that everything possible will be done in this respect. Of course, the allocation of new housing, as it becomes available, is a matter for local authorities to handle. The question of repair and maintenance, in view of the great increases in the costs of repair, raises a different point.

Major Guy Lloyd

Is it not a fact that the inability of people to maintain tenement properties in Glasgow and elsewhere is directly due to the recent Government's having done nothing whatever to assist them by revising the Rent Restrictions Acts or the Scottish rating system?

Mr. Rankin

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of property which fell in my constituency a week ago last Saturday, it was condemned only on the Friday and when it heard of its condemnation it collapsed on the Saturday. Can we not get speedier action—

Mr. Speaker

That sounded quite speedy enough.

Mr. Rankin

—in these cases from the local authority—

Mr. Speaker

I think that we had better get on to the next Question