Mr. WILLIAM M. ADAMSONasked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state the number of dwelling-houses under the control of his Department which are now vacant, and in which districts; and whether any of these dwelling-houses are being kept empty for the purpose of sale?
§ Sir J. BAIRDOut of a total of 9,763 houses managed by my Department, 172 are void, over 75 per cent. of such houses being in Barrow and lnvergordon. 149 houses are available for re-letting, but, owing to the industrial conditions, especially in those two areas, considerable difficulty is being experienced in finding tenants. Only 23 houses out of the total of 9,763 are being held for sale, and in the event of there being no sale within the short period allowed by the Department, they will again be offered for letting.