The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. William Adamson):

According to the information which, I have been able to obtain since receiving notice of my hon. Friend's question, the position is as follows. In numerous cases proceedings have been taken against tenants in Glas- gow, but I understand that in the Sheriff Court at Glasgow special consideration is shown where a plea of unemployment is put forward and that the practice is for the Sheriff to continue the case conditionally on payment of a weekly amount which he considers the tenant can pay. Decree of ejection is not granted if these amounts are paid. Further, I understand that many cases have been adjusted through the Lord Provost's Fund and through the Tribunal presided over by Bailie G. Kerr which was in operation for some time. In the particular case referred to by my hon. Friend, I am in course of making inquiries, the result of which I shall communicate to him. On my present information I understand that the tenant did not appear in Court when the case was called, that warrant was granted in absence but that execution of the warrant was delayed for some weeks in order to give him an opportunity to make an arrangement. The responsibility for decision in all such cases is placed by the law upon the Courts, and I have no power to interfere in the direction indicated by my hon. Friend.