§ Mr. D. MILLARasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is prepared to take action to secure the carrying into effect of the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Housing in Scotland that 290W a complete survey of rural cottages should be undertaken; and whether he will call for a report from the local public health officers as to the condition and sanitation of the cottages occupied by agricultural and rural workers in their respective areas and as to the number of additional houses required?
Mr. ADAMSONThe recommendations of the Royal Commission on Housing are before the Government in their consideration of housing policy, but I am not yet in a position to state what action will be taken on the particular recommendation referred to in the question.
§ Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if his attention has been called to the lack of sanitary facilities in the village of Cowie, Stirlingshire; if he is aware that the infantile death rate is nine per thousand higher than the county of Stirling, and that the coal company which owns the houses has proposed a scheme of sanitary provision which will take from seven to ten years to complete; and what steps does he propose to take to ensure that the people of Cowie shall be immediately provided with the elementary decencies of civilised life?
Mr. STEWARTI understand that the sanitary arrangements in the village of Cowie are not in accordance with modern standards. The infantile death-rate for 1923 in the village was 67 per thousand as compared with 73 per thousand in the county. In 1922 the corresponding rates were 130 and 92.9. As regards the sanitation scheme proposed by the coal company which owns the houses, I am informed that it is substantially as stated by my hon. Friend. The district committee, however, on 8th February resolved to serve on the owners a requisition under Section 41 of the Housing and Town Planning, etc. (Scotland) Act, 1919, requiring them to provide water-closets for the houses wherever reasonably practicable, and remitted to Cowie Scavenging Committee with powers to allow a period of two years for their provision. As the local authority is exercising its statutory powers in the matter it is not proposed to intervene. I might add, however, that any question of what is reasonably practicable under Section 41 of the above-mentioned Act would fall to be decided by the Courts.
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§ Sir G. McCRAEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether, pending the passing of a new Housing Act, he proposes to press for a supplementary grant from the Exchequer to meet the extra charge imposed on local authorities in Scotland by the higher cost of building in Scotland as compared with England in carrying out the provisions of the Housing Act, 1923?
Mr. ADAMSONThe housing policy of the Government is at present under consideration and regard will be had to any circumstances peculiar to Scotland. I do not propose meantime to ask for a supplementary grant for the purpose referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. MILLARasked the Secretary for Scotland the number of houses in Scotland in course of construction and the number still to be commenced under the Addison-Munro schemes; and whether it is intended to extend the period of building in Scotland so as to secure the completion of the full quota of Scottish houses under these schemes?
Mr. ADAMSONAs at 31st January last the number of houses in Scotland in course of construction under the Addison-Munro scheme was 2,918 and the number still to be commenced was 1,381. The Scottish Board of Health have power to extend the date for the completion of houses under this scheme, and they will be prepared to do so where satisfied that local or general circumstances have prevented the completion of any particular scheme by the stipulated date, namely, 19th August, 1924.