HC Deb 12 November 1979 vol 973 c463W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of households in Scotland who are (a) in overcrowded conditions, (b) in sub-tolerable conditions, (c) in need of rehousing and (d) classified as homeless.

Mr. Rifkind

Acute overcrowding is now rare. It has been estimated that about 160,000 households in Scotland have too few bedrooms on the standard adopted by the social survey division. On the basis of reports from local authorities it appears that some 125,000 houses, many of which were vacant or defective only in minor respects, were sub-tolerable at 31 March 1979. There is no simple definition of need for rehousing and therefore no figures are available. Finally, because accommodation is normally found for the priority homeless, the number fluctuates.