HC Deb 25 May 1954 vol 528 cc191-3
22. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many former Service camps are still being used for housing in Scotland and in the county of Lanark, respectively; how many persons are housed therein; which are the former camps so used in the county of Lanark; how many persons are dwelling in each; and by what date he expects the last of these former camps to be closed.

Mr. J. Stuart

As the answer contains a number of figures, I propose, with permission, to circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Maitland

Can my right hon. Friend say whether, in view of the great progress made by housing in Scotland under our Administration, he has been able to secure a reduction in the number of camp dwellers? Will he further continue the good offices that his Department has used to get camp dwellers into proper houses, and will he consider the possibility of setting up a working party to look into this problem, as was done by the Minister of Housing and Local Government for England and Wales?

Mr. Stuart

I assure my hon. Friend that we are dealing with the matter. I am glad to tell him that whereas in May, 1952, 2,838 families were housed in 129 camps, in May, 1954, the number had been reduced to 1,196 families in 78 camps.

Mr. Ross

Will the Minister answer the last part of the Question: by what date he expects the last of these former camps to be closed"? He will appreciate that his hon. Friend has to make his usual much publicised and abortive holiday arrangements.

Mr. Stuart

I hope that by 1956 it may be possible to see the last of these camps.

Mr. Maitland

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the inhabitants of Burnwood Camp are most grateful for the Government's intervention, following my visit to that camp?

Following is the answer:

FORMER SERVICE CAMPS IN USE FOR HOUSING IN SCOTLAND
— Number of camps Number of families accommodated
Short-term camps
In Scotland 78 1,196
In Lanarkshire(excluding Glasgow):—
Blantyreferme 5 15
Mid Netherton 60
Rusheyhill 16
New Dechmont 27
Shawfield 1
—119
Long-term camps
In Scotland 8 190
In Lanarkshire (excluding Glasgow):—
Burnwood, Carluke 1 59

As a result of the action being taken it is expected that most, if not all, of the short-term camps will be closed during the next two years. The position at the other camps, where huts have been converted on a long-term basis into temporary houses, is kept under review but it is not possible to give any forecast meantime as to when they will be closed.