§ Mr. BUCHANANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that at present large numbers of persons are being summoned to both the eviction and small debts Courts in Glasgow for arrears of rent, and that the numbers are now increasing with the coming of winter; and if, in view of the effect on the health of the poorer people and seeing that the problem is almost entirely one of poverty, he will say what steps he proposes to take to ease the situation?
Mr. ADAMSONI am informed that there were 1,200 more eviction cases in the quarter ending 31st October than in the quarter ending 31st July, but over 200 cases less than for the quarter ending 30th April. I have been giving my most anxious consideration to the serious situation which exists, and I have been in communication with the town clerk of Glasgow regarding a certain proportion of these cases arising out of inability to pay rates in advance, and with the clerk to the parish council regarding relief work wages and the rates of relief to children of the able-bodied unemployed. I trust also that the consideration of relief work schemes will be expedited. As my hon. Friend is aware, under the new Local Government Act it will be possible for the Public Assistance Committee of the local authority to make arrangements with the Housing Committee of the local authority whereby another percentage of these eviction cases may in future be obviated.