§ 28. Mr. Brooman-Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in the clearance of hutted camps in Lanarkshire; and whether he will make a further statement on Government policy in this matter.
Commander GalbraithThe number of families remaining in the four hutted camps still in use in Lanarkshire has been reduced to 107. My right hon. Friend has offered to arrange that the Scottish Special Housing Association will build new houses to assist, directly or indirectly, in the rehousing of these families, and the county council is now seeking suitable sites. It is the Government's policy to clear hutted camps at the earliest possible moment.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that that answer will give great satisfaction because, apart from the very bad conditions in the camp, the huts in many cases are occupying land which could be more profitably 897 used for other purposes, particularly in areas where there are few sites suitable for house building?
§ Mr. RossWill the Minister ensure that one hut is preserved to facilitate for the hon. Member for Lanark (Mr. Patrick Maitland) his long-promised summer holiday in these surroundings?