HC Deb 19 February 1969 vol 778 cc116-7W
78. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the monthly totals of serious road accidents and deaths, respectively, since the introduction of the breathalyser tests, and the corresponding figures for the same months in the year prior to its introduction.

Mr. Ross

Breath tests were introduced on 9th October, 1967.

Following is the information:

is now necessary although they were built in accordance with safety standards stipulated by appropriate authorities at the time, to cover removal expenses of tenants who have to be moved out of such buildings, and to reimburse local authorities for loss of income where such buildings have to remain unoccupied, respectively.

Mr. Ross

I shall discuss this with the local authorities as soon as possible. I am awaiting information about the work they consider necessary and its probable cost.

84. Mr. Gordon Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) which local authorities in Scotland have been requested by him to appoint consultants to advise whether strengthening is required of multi-storey buildings following the Ronan Point Inquiry; how many of such buildings in Scotland are affected; and in how many cases so far strengthening has been advised by consultants;

(2) how many multi-storey buildings completed by local authorities in Scotland are unoccupied because they may need strengthening following the Ronan Point Inquiry.

Mt. Ross

All local authorities were advised to have an appraisal made by a structural engineer of any multi-storey blocks in large panel load-bearing construction in their areas. Provisional returns show that there are about 170 such blocks in use or at various stages of construction, in 17 local authority areas.

I cannot yet say how many will require strengthening and I have no information about the number completed but not occupied.

Mr. Buchanan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the safety considerations involved, he will, in consultation with Glasgow Corporation, undertake an inquiry into the measures required to make multi-storey flats safe, into the evacuation and rehousing of the tenants and into the question of meeting the cost of the whole operation.

Mr. Ross

I see no need for an inquiry. I have already given housing authorities technical advice, and when Glasgow and the other authorities concerned have considered the structural appraisals of their multi-storey blocks they will be putting forward proposals for my consideration.