§ 42. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Soctland if he is aware of the fivefold increase in rent, a month's notice of which has been given to tenant-employees by the Board of Management for Glasgow Northern Hospitals with no right of appeal; how many other boards have issued similar notices; and if he will postpone the operation of this notice until he has reviewed all the circumstances.
§ 43. Miss Herbisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received against the proposed increase of rents of houses attached to hospitals; and, in view of the nature of the tenancies of these houses, if he will reconsider his proposals.
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§ 44. Mr. J. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has made to the Western Regional Hospital Board for an increase in the rents of hospital houses; and what representations he has received against such increases in rent.
§ Mr. MaclayThe existing rents of most hospital houses are very low and have remained virtually unaltered for ten years. I therefore sent a memorandum to all hospital authorities on 20th September last setting out new arrangements for fixing the rents of hospital houses on a more reasonable and uniform basis. The new rents take account of the special circumstances of some of these tenancies, and the arrangements provide for making the larger increases in stages of six-monthly intervals.
I have received representations from two hon. Members, from the Association of Hospital Boards of Management, from two individual boards of management, from one trade union and from one tenant. While some of the detailed points may require further consideration, I see no reason for postponing the operation of the scheme.