£8 ,098,407 out of an expenditure of £12,514,834, This is the sum shown in this year's housing estimates as due to be paid in interest. This demonstrates in one sentence why the worst concentrated slum area in Europe will not be eradicated in 40 years if present policies &re continued, Little wonder that the city can also lay claim to the highest crime rate and the highest incidence of T.B. and infant mortality in the country. The figures represent a social and human problem which must be one of the first reponsibilities of a Labour Government, To the de¢lared policy of reducing interest on loans to local authorities must be added one of special provision for redevelopment of such black-spots.
Meanwhile, Glasgow's Labour Corporation is staunchly refusing to consider raising rents until after’October, This policy is of course attacked by all sections of the Press, led by the Scottish Daily Express and the Glasgow Herald, Chief object of the attack is the loss of the Exchequer equalisation grant due to the low rents policy. However, this would bring in only an additional £133,000 - hardly a solution to the problem, The object of the Labour Movement in Glasgow should be to convince the 'ratepayers' many of whom are themselves living in slum property, that they too are the victims of Tory policy.