§ 18. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that Sutherland County Council is acting in accordance with Section 48 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1950, in view of the circumstances outlined in a letter of 2nd February addressed to the Joint Under-Secretary of State by the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. James Stuart)Under this Section, it is primarily for the county council itself to determine when it should inspect its district and submit proposals for putting an end to overcrowding. Having regard to the good housing progress being made in the county, I would not feel justified in interfering in the matter.
§ Sir D. RobertsonIs it not the case that my letter dated 2nd February still remains unanswered in regard to the very serious overcrowding of a family consisting of a man, wife and two children, who are living in two very small rooms? Is my right hon. Friend satisfied, as the county council apparently has no intention of allocating this family a house, that it is not his duty to do so?
§ Mr. StuartI think my hon. Friend is well aware that Parliament handed over 1493 this duty to the local authorities, in connection with the allocation of new houses. According to my hon. Friend's letter to the Joint Under-Secretary of State on 2nd February, he admits that a house was offered, although it was some little way away, no doubt, and that it was refused. I have asked the county council for its observations.