asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) why he has refused the application made under Section 11 (4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1949, of the Central Ayrshire Unionist Association for the provision of polling stations at Loans-Gailes and Barassie Street School;

(2) why he has refused the joint application made under Section 11 (4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1949, by the South Ayrshire Unionist Association and the South Ayrshire Constituency Labour Party for the provision of polling stations at Maidens and Lendalfoot.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I ask for your guidance? The first 44 Questions on the Paper are are addressed to the Secretary of State for Scotland. Can you advise me to which Minister I could address a Question concerning the fact that the English Members are totally debarred from putting their legitimate Questions owing to this abuse of Question time by Scottish Members?

Every Minister's turn comes round in due course. Scotland is entitled to its fair share. On other days Scotland comes last, but today Scotland comes first; and therefore I am afraid there is nothing to be done about it.

May I point out that Scottish Members represent only one-tenth of this House and they have already a whole day to themselves on Thursday? Is there nothing we can do about it?

Scotland is entitled to its fair share.

The answer to the Questions is that I regret these applications were too late for any change to be made in time for the recent General Election, but I am considering, along with the returning officer, whether any satisfactory alteration can be made for the future.

Will my right hon. Friend—I find it easier to address him in those terms—bear in mind that it is the very essence of our democracy that every adult should be encouraged to vote? Therefore, will he provide every reasonable and possible facility to enable that to be done everywhere?

I shall consult with the returning officer to make all reasonable facilities available.

Is the Minister aware that the first organisation referred to in Question 2 is in a state of liquidation?

Is it a fact that where 50 householders get together in one village or hamlet they can have a polling station allowed to them?

My recollection is that 30 interested electors can make a submission on the subject.

Is the Minister aware, in reference to Question 1, that the Central Ayrshire Constituency Labour Party have also made representations for the provision of polling stations, and will he consider the joint representations?

That is precisely why I shall consult with the returning officer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now state the Government's intentions in response to the widespread desire in Scotland for a full inquiry into the financial relations now subsisting between Scotland and the United Kingdom Treasury.

I am not in a position to add to replies to previous Questions on this subject.

Does the Minister recall that it is now many weeks since I began putting down this almost weekly Question? Does he not know that the demand throughout Scotland for an inquiry of this kind is quite universal, and that he really must address himself to Scotland's requirements?

I shall not, of course, overlook Scotland's requirements, but I would remind the hon. Gentleman that he was for many years a part of a Government which did nothing even about considering the subject.

Does the Minister know when he will be able to make a statement on the subject?

Reasonably shortly.

Would it be before Thursday?

I should like to leave the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to make his own interpretation.

Has the Minister made any representation to the Government on the subject, and does he hope to get a favourable answer?

It is most unusual for a Minister to make any statement of that kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the result of the arbitration by the Industrial Court on the claims to increased salaries by district nurses, who are at present receiving less than hospital nurses with lower qualifications.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is in a position to give details of the award made by the Industrial Court upon the claim for increases in the salaries of domiciliary nurses and midwives.

The Industrial Court have awarded for district nurses a salary scale of £340 to £465 effective from 1st February, 1949. The Court have directed that new scales for health visitors, midwives and other related grades covered by the claim should be negotiated by the Whitley Council in the light of the award.

May I ask what is the position about the senior grades of the nursing service, including matrons, assistant matrons, and others above the rank of ward sister? We are still waiting for a decision from the Whitley Council.

I am sure the hon. Gentleman will agree that we must expect the Whitley Council to take appropriate action.

Is the right hon. Gentleman doing anything to hurry them up?

I am quite satisfied that the Whitley Council know their own business and handle it properly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to state his policy in regard to the occupation of disused Army huts in the neighbourhood of Ayr by families from overcrowded houses in other districts.

These huts will be cleared as soon as the occupants can get other accommodation. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to him on this subject on 2nd May.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reply he gave me before was distinctly unsatisfactory? If he will not grant enough licences to the county council or allow the private builders to build, how is the alternative accommodation to be provided?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is making assumptions which are quite unwarranted. I am in consultation with the appropriate authorities about the building programme, and I must repeat that the primary responsibility for rehousing rests with the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the acreage of land owned by the Forestry Commission in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright on 1st July, 1939, and 1st July, 1949, respectively.

The figures are 33,531 acres and 83,075 acres respectively.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the corresponding period there has been a drop of 70,000 in the sheep population of the county? Is he further aware that this cannot be attributed to the blizzard in 1947 because that part of Scotland came off very lightly at that time? Will he bear in mind the necessity for keeping a proper balance between afforestation and sheep farming?

Of course, I will certainly give that assurance, but the hon. Gentleman must recognise that in the same period not only has the sheep population improved compared with the previous year, but that over the comparable period the dairy population has also increased.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what conclusions he has reached regarding the effects of de-control and the increasing costs of production upon the prices obtained by fishermen for their products; and when the Government's constructive proposals for the fishing industry will be made known.

Since the de-control of fish prices on 15th April a close watch has been kept on the movement of prices at all ports; it is, however, still too early to judge what will be the ultimate effect of de-control or to reach any conclusions. Meanwhile, the Government's examination of the problems of the white fish industry is continuing as a matter of urgency.

Is the right hon. Gentleman keeping in touch with the fishermen and the fishermen's organisations, who are still exceedingly anxious about the situation?

My fishery officers study prices, quality and general results twice a week.

In considering the problem, will the Minister take into account the suggestion which was made in responsible quarters that a subsidy should be given to the fish trade in the north-east of Scotland?

As I have already indicated, all suggestions upon this subject are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why Laid School was closed from 9th February until 1st March; whether the substitute teacher who was subsequently engaged was unemployed and available for duty from 9th February onwards; and if he is satisfied that the closing of the school for such a time was justified.

Laid side School was closed on 9th February because of the teacher's illness. The substitute engaged on 1st March was free in the interval. She was, however, only 17 and lacked both experience and teaching qualification. I consider, therefore, that the authority were justified in first seeking to obtain a substitute with better qualifications.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is an exceedingly serious matter to close down a school with 13 children because the teacher has phlebitis, and was it beyond the capacity of the education authority to transfer these children to a neighbouring school a few miles away or to get a substitute teacher much earlier?

I believe it is a serious matter for such a number of children to be denied day school education, but it would also have been a serious matter to engage a girl whose qualifications were not adequate. I am satisfied, having looked at the situation, that the authority did all in their power at the time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there was any sense of urgency at all in the manner in which this case was tackled by the education authority?

Yes, Sir. I repeat that I think the education authority acted appropriately.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that certification of old people is increasing in Scotland because a bed in an institution is required; and if he will take steps to remove this stigma from the elderly people requiring care and attention.

I have no precise information on this subject but I certainly share my hon. Friend's anxiety that proper care and accommodation should be available for old people. Within the material and financial limits imposed by the present economic situation, hospitals and local authorities are doing all they can to meet this need.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the medical profession are gravely perturbed at the number of old people who are merely senile and yet have to be certified as lunatics? Would he consider introducing some such certification as "aged and infirm"?

While I think that rather odd things are happening, I have no precise information, and I have been offered none, which would warrant the assumption made by my hon. Friend. However, on the second point, I certainly think there is a good case for considering some other description than that of certification, and I am looking closely at the point.

Would it be possible to put some form of pressure upon local authorities who only have permissive powers to do something more about institutional accommodation for old people who are not certifiable although they may be senile and in need of help?

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it would be highly undesirable in any circumstances to put old people in that type of institution?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of old people in Fife who are on the waiting list for hospital treatment for reasons arising from old age; and the number of beds available for this purpose in Fife.

The number of old people in Fife on the waiting list for hospital treatment for conditions other than acute ones is estimated at 65, and about 64 beds in Fife are used for such patients. Numbers of Fife patients are, of course, admitted to hospitals outside the area.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that during last year there were fewer beds available for that type of patient than in the previous year, and that at the present moment many old people suffering from illness because of their age are awaiting beds to be provided for them in the City of Edinburgh?

I do not think that the first assumption is correct, but it is of course true, as we all know, that more aged people suffering from conditions generally associated with senility are looking for additional treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses in Edinburgh started by private enterprise builders before the war, whose construction has not yet been completed, owing to the withholding of necessary permits and licences.

There are 32 houses in this category.

As these houses have been under construction for 12 years and are deteriorating, and in view of the small number involved, will not the right hon. Gentleman give the licences necessary to complete them before further deterioration takes place?

As the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, I have given this matter every consideration. If the contractors responsible would offer the houses to the people who have a claim to them and at a price that they could afford, I would reconsider the matter. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Certainly; there is no point in agreeing to the building of houses if the cost renders the rent prohibitive to the people who need them. If that point is met, I will gladly reconsider the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the female prisoners hitherto lodged in His Majesty's Prison, Perth, have now been removed to Duke Street, Glasgow.

Untried prisoners, and those whose detention is unlikely to exceed a few days, will continue to be housed at Perth. Apart from these, the women's section of Perth Prison has been used mainly for prisoners serving sentences of six weeks or less. The transfer of such prisoners, of whom the average daily number has been seven, saves staff and will afford the prisoner better facilities for training, employment and recreation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the type of female prisoner who is brought to Perth Prison differs very considerably from the average prisoner in Duke Street? Does he think that the mixing of these different types is really in the best interests of the prisoners which, after all, is the most important thing?

Duke Street Prison is one with which I am quite familiar, but, as my sex and record will show, completely as a visitor. I will very gladly re-examine the question in the light of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's submission.

When my right hon. Friend is making his examination, will he consider the advisability of closing Duke Street Prison altogether and finding accommodation in a much better place?

If I had the facilities to enable me to close Duke Street Prison I certainly would do so, but I cannot pretend that I foresee these facilities quickly becoming available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of single-teacher schools in Scotland; and the total number of children in such schools in March, 1950.

At 31st March, 1949, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of single-teacher schools in Scotland was 870 and the total number of children in such schools was 15,429.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now considered the Report of the Committee on Poaching and Illegal Fishing of Salmon and Trout in Scotland; and what action he proposes to take.

I am unable to add to the reply given on 1st May.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say when we may expect a firm decision on this matter?

I could not, with any precision, but I give the undertaking that I am urgently considering the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give for the counties of Fife, Aberdeen, Lanark, Inverness, Ayr and Dumfries, and for the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, for the last date on which statistics are available, the total number of classes in primary schools and in secondary schools respectively; the number in each case of classes with not more than 30 children on the roll; the number with between 30 and 40, between 40 and 50 and over 50 respectively; and the corresponding figures for March, 1937.

As the answer involves figures best presented in tabular form, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I regret, however, that no corresponding figures are available for March, 1937.

Can the Minister indicate why no figures are available for 1937, because I understand the corresponding figures for 1937 were available for England and Wales?

The figures are not available for the obvious reason that the records were not kept.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of local authorities who have complained of defects in non-traditional houses; the total number of houses involved; and the approximate additional cost to the local authorities in remedying the defects.

The remedying of defects is primarily a matter between local authorities and their contractors and I have no complete information on the subject. Where defects have arisen, contractors have agreed to remedy them without cost to local authorities.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Government have already undertaken to meet the additional cost of carrying out repairs in respect of three types of non-traditional house?

I am not aware of that, but I should be very glad to look at the particulars.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any evidence to show that the upkeep, the cost of maintenance, of these houses is greater than for traditional houses?

I would rather have notice of that question. I regret that I cannot answer it without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the average tender price for a four-apartment traditional house in Scotland in 1949 as compared with 1948; and the respective prices for a four-apartment non-traditional house.

The average tender price for a four-apartment traditional house was £1,281 in 1948 and £1,420 in 1949. The prices for four-apartment non-traditional houses outside the Highlands and Islands, recently negotiated by my Department, range from £1,055 to £1,270, compared with a range of from £1,245 to £1,395 last year.

Would my right hon. Friend inform me what action, if any, has been taken by his Department in regard to the report of the Scottish Building Costs Committee towards effecting a reduction in building costs?

If my hon. Friend refers to the non-traditional house, I have given a remit to the Committee.

Do the figures given by the right hon. Gentleman include the cost of the site and of providing the services, or are they merely the cost of building the houses?

No; these are literally costs of erection.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the extent of the housing problem in Scotland as revealed by the lists submitted by local authorities to the Department of Health.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new houses are required in the county of Ayr arising from the recent housing surveys carried out by Ayrshire housing authorities.

Since different authorities adopted different methods, the recent review by local authorities has not yielded an accurate picture. I propose to discuss with local authorities the scope and timing of a survey based on uniform standards.

Cannot the Minister give a date when it would be possible for him to give a definite reply about the houses needed in any local authority area in Scotland?

I cannot give any indication of when I shall be in a position to give a precise and reliable estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provisions have been made to deal with the housing problem in Dunfermline, Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Inverkeithing; and if he proposes to increase the allocation to these burghs in view of the waiting lists for housing.

There are 446 houses under construction in these burghs and 594 more, including 228 recently allocated, have yet to be begun. It therefore would not seem very appropriate to allocate more houses meantime.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Ayrshire housing authorities have made applications to him for additional allocations of houses for this year; and how many authorities have had their applications refused.

Only Irvine have asked for an increased allocation and I have authorised 20 additional houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he has asked local authorities to accept houses of Scottish Special Housing Association as part of their recent allocation; and if refusal to accept these terms will mean a corresponding reduction in the allocation.

The houses to be built by the association entirely at Exchequer expense in areas where needs are greatest are in addition to the allocations made to the local authorities.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many local authorities are thoroughly dissatisfied with the houses of the Scottish Special Housing Association, which compare very unfavourably with their own houses, both in appearance and in rental? Why should not the local authority be given its maximum allocation without being asked to take S.S.H.A. houses?

I agree with my hon. Friend that I have looked at some houses built by the Association which do not measure up to the standard I would like to see but, on the other hand, I ask her to reflect whether there are not local authorities which need this kind of supplementation to their efforts. The results are frequently very welcome.

The local authority of Coatbridge have built more S.S.H.A. houses than any other local authority in Scotland. They are thoroughly dissatisfied with these houses and do not want any more of them. Why should these houses be forced on them?

They are not forced on them. My recollection is that the allocation of S.S.H.A. houses for Coatbridge in the last allocation was only 50, but I should like to look again at those 50.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that all local authorities in Scotland are proceeding with their housing programme with all possible speed; if he has any progress reports on house building at its various stages within each local authority's ambit; and if he would consider appointing progress officers and issuing progress reports.

We cannot, as my hon. Friend knows, afford to be satisfied until further substantial inroads have been made into Scottish housing needs. Housing schemes are visited regularly by officers of my Department who report on the progress being made. The position in each district is published in the quarterly Housing Return.

Could not the progress report be made by the local authority instead of the right hon. Gentleman employing additional officials for that purpose?

I have looked at both points. The staff which is employed for this purpose is not large and is based locally and I think that, all in all, the small staff thoroughly justify their existence.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent survey of the wages of farm workers has been made by the Scottish Department of Agriculture: and what were its conclusions.

Since 1947 the Department of Agriculture has been conducting a farm wages inquiry designed to obtain accurate information on this subject and the inquiry continues. The results to date are summarised in the current issue of the Department's publication, "Farm Economics," a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

Could my right hon. Friend give some indication whether farm wages have increased since the previous surveys?

I could not do so without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to provide an all-night dispensing service in the division of the hon. Member for Tradeston.

There are already arrangements under the National Health Service for obtaining drugs and medicines urgently required. An all-night dispensing service is a facility which cannot reasonably be expected except in the largest centres and, as my hon. Friend informed the hon. Gentleman last week, there is one shop in Glasgow open all night

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the provision of one shop is not regarded as being a complete way of meeting this need in the city of Glasgow and that in my division ward committees and private individuals are pressing the urgency of the extension of this service?

I will look at any submissions and any figures, but I am inclined to think that if there were any trading justification for such an extension it would already have occurred.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, politically speaking, it is urgently desirable to dispense with the services of the hon. Member for Tradeston (Mr. Rankin)?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, as there is only one shop for this purpose in Glasgow, when people go there for urgent medicine they are frequently asked to return in three or four hours? There should be an extension of this service.

I think that is probably a pretty hurried conclusion. Normal general practice is that if a medicine or drug is needed with very great urgency, then the drug or its near equivalent is normally, in night hours, supplied by the general practitioner.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what districts the expenditure by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, forecast in paragraph 67 of the Economic Survey for 1950, of £2.1 million for main transmission and £2.3 million for distribution, will take place; and if he will make a statement.

With permission, I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the transmission line schemes under construction or which it is hoped to begin during 1950. Distribution work is in progress throughout the whole of the North of Scotland area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make any further statement as to the number of houses to be built under private licence in Scotland; and as to any further discretion to be allowed to local authorities in this connection.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what relaxation of the regulations governing the issue of licences for the building of private houses he proposes to make.

It is too soon to come to any conclusions about the concessions which I announced in reply to the hon. Member for Springburn (Mr. Forman) on 29th March, but I will review the position again in six months or thereabouts.

Seeing that the right hon. Gentleman's colleague, the Minister of Health, made a statement which certainly brought great satisfaction to a number of people, why is this satisfaction to be denied to the people of Scotland even for six months?

As the right hon. and gallant Gentleman knows from his experience of both offices, the position of building in Scotland, particularly in relation to the proportion of private enterprise housing, is very different from that in England, and I would not think that the remedy applicable in England need necessarily be applicable in Scotland. At any rate, I suggest to him that I ought to give this scheme a run and then look at the results.

Since the right hon. Gentleman announced his scheme, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced what he held out as a concession. Is it to be taken that this concession applies only south of the Border? After all, it is generally supposed that the housing shortage in Scotland is at least as great as that in England.

The right hon. and gallant Gentleman knows that I have already given an indication of how I mean to apply, in my best judgment, to meet the needs of the community, the concession which the Chancellor has announced.

Will my right hon. Friend remember that in the City of Glasgow there are 95,000 people at the moment on the waiting list of the Corporation for houses, and that most of those people simply could not pay the prices demanded by the private profit-making builders?

But they would like the houses all the same.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of school children he expects to be employed in this year's potato lifting in Scotland; the average age of the children; the number of school hours which will be lost by each child; and when he hopes to discontinue this form of child labour.

As the answer is necessarily lengthy and involves figures, I propose with permission to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether his mind is set in the direction of stopping, and whether he will consider the possibility of stopping, children of school age from going out harvesting in school time every year?

I assure my hon. Friend that I do feel concerned at the interruption of normal education by such methods as this. That is quite distinct from the anxiety I share to get city children into the country. However, while I share my hon. Friend's general concern, I must in all honesty say that I cannot hold out hopes to him for the immediate—or anything like the immediate—future.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the greatly increased acreage of potatoes in Scotland cannot be harvested without the help of these children?

I am quite aware of that and quite concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation for the purpose of preventing lawyers in receipt of compensation for loss of office from local authorities, acting against such local authorities in litigation.

No, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that recently we have had a case of an Ayrshire local authority paying compensation at the rate of £600 a year to an official who was in court against that local authority?

I see the point that my hon. Friend makes, but I think it would be unfair that, because a man is paid compensation for loss of office, he should be prohibited from following his normal employment elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the Herring Industry Board's decision to exclude Lochinver from the Minch scheme, having regard to its central situation on the mainland, will cause hardship to local fishermen; and if he will investigate this matter.

Arrangements for the Minch schemes are within the competence of the Herring Industry Board. I am informed, however, that should the Board's wider proposals for the flat price schemes become operative during the summer fishing, Lochinver will be included with other ports.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the position with regard to the Herring Industry Board's proposed scheme for the Minch area.

The Scottish Herring Producers' Association have rejected proposals made by the Herring Industry Board for a flat price scheme to be operated at all ports, including those in the Minch, on the ground that the prices offered by the Board are too low.

Are they completely stuck there now; and what action is being taken to put into operation a scheme which is vitally important for the employment of the industry in the production of herrings?

I agree about its importance. The Herring Producers' Association have made certain submissions to the Government, but of course in the end it will have to be decided between the Board and the Association.

Are the Board and the Association now in conversation about this, or has the whole matter just stopped?

No, I think intermittent conversations are going on, as is obvious from the Press. The point that I must in fairness make is that the Herring Producers' Association have made certain submissions to the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what areas in the Outer Hebrides it is intended to extend electricity this year.

In Lewis, electricity distribution lines are at present being erected in the Eye Peninsula and in the Tolsta area, and current is being provided for new consumers in the area continuously. Work has begun on the lines from Stornoway to Barvas and to Ness.

Will this current be alternating or intermittent?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make an order under Section 77 of the Agricultural (Scotland) Act, 1948, which empowers him to raise housing improvement grants from a limit of £250 to £300 without reference to Parliament, so that crofters and agricultural workers will receive grants equal to those made to all other citizens.

I am not satisfied that an increase in the limit of £250 is justified at present, since crofters normally undertake the unskilled work themselves.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how crofters and agricultural workers can get a house improved or repaired any more cheaply than anyone else?

The hon. Gentleman is in error in thinking that the same provisions apply to crofters and agricultural workers. There are separate provisions for the agricultural workers. As regards the crofters, the traditional method is that the crofter does the job, and does it most excellently, himself, except for the skilled work.

Is it the Government's policy to penalise a man for helping himself?

No, it is the Government's policy to assist people such as crofters—and anyone else—who can apply spare-time labour to this job.

In view of the injustice implied here, I give notice that I shall raise this matter again at the earliest possible moment on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of hearing aids issued to date in Scotland; and the number of applicants awaiting supply.

Six thousand one hundred and thirteen and 12,592 respectively.

Is it true that some of these people have not yet heard that the Government were defeated by an anti-Socialist majority at the last election?

I do not think that any kind of hearing aid, either for them or for the hon. and gallant Gentleman, will enable them or him to hear such a thing much as he would like it

asked the Secretary of Slate for Scotland what accommodation is available at present for treating ex-Service personnel suffering from tuberculosis in Scotland.

There are some 4,726 beds available for respiratory tuberculosis patients, to all of which ex-Service men and women have equal title with other members of the community. In addition, the Scottish branch of the Red Cross Society own 154 beds, reserved entirely for Service and ex-Service personnel.

Is the Secretary of State aware that in Glasgow at present ex-Service personnel suffering from tuberculosis have to have their names added to the long waiting list of the local authority?

I do not think that is completely true There are at least two institutions where beds for ex-Service personnel suffering from this type of disease are used However. I do not want to deny that the waiting list of ex-Service and civilian personnel suffering from this disease is disturbing.

Is not the real difficulty in this case a shortage of nurses rather than a shortage of beds?

In regard to the general problem, that is the primary factor.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total expenditure, national and by local authorities per head of population, on housing in Scotland in 1949.

Capital investment on housing in Scotland in 1949, excluding repairs and maintenance, is estimated at £39.5 million, equivalent to £7 12s. 8d. per head of population.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the figure we expend on defence is greater than that? Would it not be for the benefit of Scotland if the figures were reversed?

The figures are not comparable because in one case we are talking of capital and in the other case my hon. Friend chooses to talk about revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he will publish the list of those local authorities to whom he has offered additional houses for industrial workers, indicating in each case the number of houses offered and the number so far accepted;

(2) what are the terms and conditions of his offer of additional industrial houses to certain local authorities.

Since the answer necessarily involves a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The houses were offered on the understanding that they would be made available to employees of firms recommended to the local authorities by the Board of Trade.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say to whom firms who are in need of such allocations should make application at the present time? Is that in the answer?

No, it is not. I think it should be made to the President of the Board of Trade, but I shall be very glad to look at the point and to communicate with the hon. Gentleman.

If these people leave the employment of the firms concerned, will they lose their houses?

If these people leave the area, like anyone else——

I said—if they leave their employment.

If these gentlemen leave the area, they will, like anyone else—[Interruption.]—they will, like anyone else, forfeit their houses, but any other variation upon that standard practice will be a decision for the local authority.

What if they leave their employment?

That is a variation and therefore a matter for the local authority.

Will these people live in tied cottages?

They do not live in tied cottages. They live in houses which they rent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications from Ross County Council for grant in aid of construction and reconstruction respectively of piers or jetties in the Isle of Lewis are at present under consideration, by his Department.

There are none in either category.

Does my right hon. Friend not think it deplorable that this Conservative County Council has not even made application and yet is continually attacking the Government, through the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. J. MacLeod), for not having allocated more?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will alter the present arrangement whereby retired school teachers in Scotland are paid their salaries quarterly, to payment on a monthly basis, in view of the difficulties which the present arrangement is causing to many of the pensioners.

The proposed change which would have to apply on both sides of the Border has been noted for consideration when legislation affecting teachers' pensions is required.

When is that likely to be?

When it is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to see that the recent decision to increase the charge for board and accommodation of the staff in Scottish hospitals is revised where such accommodation is in Army huts as compared with that in permanent modern buildings.

The principle of a flat rate has been accepted by the appropriate instrument, the Nurses Whitley Council, and I therefore do not propose to interfere.