asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that canteen employees working in textile mills in Oldham are entitled only to one week's holiday with pay and that in cases where the mill closes down for two weeks' holiday, these employees have been refused unemployment benefit for the second week; and what steps he proposes to take.

The wages and paid holidays of these workers are governed by orders made to give effect to proposals of the Industrial and Staff Canteen Undertakings Wages Board set up under the Catering Wages Act, 1943. Hitherto the orders in question have provided for up to a week's annual holiday with pay, but the current order, which came into force in October last, provides for annual holidays with pay of up to two weeks. The question of entitlement to unemployment benefit is one for my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Insurance, but from what I have said the hon. Member will see that the problem he has in mind will not recur during the coming holiday season.

I am very much obliged for the information, but what about last year when this industry was hit and, in point of fact, these people were bilked out of a week's unemployment pay?

I am afraid it will not be possible to make it retrospective. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] At least we have solved it for the coming year.

asked the Minister of Labour to state the figures of total unemployment in the Oldham employment exchange area; and the figures of those temporarily stopped and working part-time for the days of count in October, November and December, 1952, and in January, 1953.

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Would the hon. Member tell us what was the figure for adult male unemployment in Oldham in January last?

I take it the hon. Member means January of this year, or does he mean January of last year?

"January last" and "January this year" are completely identical.

The figure for 12th January, 1953, of wholly unemployed is 1.102.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 800 men dismissed as redundant in the late summer of 1952 by the Austin Motor Company were afterwards found re-employment by his Department in the same company and in other firms, respectively.

Of the 775 workers discharged by the Austin Motor Company last summer, about 400 were re-engaged by the firm and 140 found alternative employment through the exchanges. The remainder were mostly elderly workers due for retirement, and very few of them are now registered as unemployed.

Is the Minister aware that a dispute was narrowly avoided at this factory because of the way the management handled this matter, and, since there is likely to be some seasonal fluctuation, will the hon. Gentleman consider consulting with the management of such firms to prevent high-handed hiring and firing actions of this kind in the future, which leads under modern conditions to a bad spirit among the workers?

I am sure the hon. Member would like to know that my regional office has been in close touch with the Austin Motor Company and with the British Motor Corporation as a whole, and, as far as the redundancy dealt with in the Question is concerned, there are now only 20 men registered as unemployed.

Would the hon. Gentleman give the House some clearer indication of what he means by elderly workers? Is he aware that a very large number of people over 50 in all parts of the country are unable to get employment, and that this is a most distressing problem, particularly when they are fit for a full day's useful work?

I heartily agree, but that point arises on a later Question.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the total number of employees wanted by the pottery industry; and the numbers for each principal type of operation that are required;

On 24th January, the number of workers for whom vacancies had been notified was 1,284, including 328 ware makers and 690 decorators. During the last three months 1,562 workers, including 361 ware makers and 339 decorators were placed in the industry and the employment exchanges will continue to submit others as they become available.

Does the Minister. in particular, and the Government, in general, still consider this industry a very important industry for export and home needs, and, if so, does not the Parliamentary Secretary think that the industry should be given priority; and can he say what action is being taken to satisfy the needs of the industry?

I thank the hon. Member for bringing this matter to our attention. It is an example of the sort of ups and downs we suffer in this very critical economic climate, and the difficulty is, as he no doubt knows, the problem of training skilled women on the decorating side, but we shall do what we can to meet the needs of the industry.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he proposes to take to alleviate unemployment in Brighton now that there are 4,359 persons unemployed in Brighton.

The Board of Trade and my Department, in association with the local authority, have made every effort to encourage fresh industry in Brighton. There has been some success and we shall continue to do what we can to assist. As is to be expected in a holiday resort, much of the unemployment is seasonal.

Is the Minister aware that the average unemployment in Brighton is six times higher than the national average, and would he, therefore, consider accelerating amendments to the Catering Wages Regulations so that hotel proprietors can maintain some of their staff throughout the year, instead of sacking them in the off season? Will he also consult with the Minister of Supply to see whether some orders for light engineering cannot be directed to Brighton? As the census of unemployment is so high in Brighton, will he give the same sense of urgency to unemployment in Brighton as he has done to the textile industry in Lancashire?

I think that the first thing is to get the facts right. The present rate of unemployment in Brighton is just over 4½ per cent. That is very serious, and I do not deny it, but it is not six times the national average. What we are trying to do to meet the case is to build up the Hollingbury Estate. Two more factories there are under construction which will employ some 250 workers, and three other projects have been approved but the work has not yet been started, so we are trying to meet this very difficult need.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of unemployment in the Stornoway area and the numbers of unemployed in each category at the latest count.

At 12th January the numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of the Stornoway employment exchange were 1,426 men, 74 boys under 18, 270 women and 63 girls under 18. The total of 1,833 represented about 36 per cent. of the estimated total number of employees in the area

It is hardly necessary to ask whether the Parliamentary Secretary regards this as a very serious state of affairs, since I have already raised this matter on the Adjournment and in Questions to the Minister. Can he say whether any special measures are going to be taken as a matter of urgency in this very serious case?

I entirely agree with the hon. Member in saying that this is a most urgent and tragic situation for the people concerned. I do not deny that. The hon. Member has asked Questions of almost every Government Department. All I can tell him is that we are working together to do our best to meet this very difficult situation, but he knows the local problems and difficulties as well as I do.

Has the Minister studied the Cairncross Report, and does not he think that the actions advised there should be followed?

Yes, we are doing so.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers registered as unemployed in the Merseyside Development Area in October, 1951, October, 1952. and January, 1953, respectively.

16,729 at 15th October, 1951, 25,760 at 13th October, 1952, and 28,011 at 12th January, 1953.

Since unemployment has almost doubled over the period covered by this Question, will the hon. Gentleman, recognising that this is spread over a wide range of industry, say what the Government intend to do now to resume the direction of new industries to Merseyside?

I should be glad to do so. I think that the important thing is to get the facts right. The facts are that there were 28,000 people unemployed in this area in February, 1950. Since 1948, there has been an increase of 14,000 in the working population, and we hope in 1953 to provide new jobs for six to seven thousand people.

Will the Minister say how much of that improvement is since 1950 and how many of these six to seven thousand new jobs have been created as a result of factories established by the Labour Government?

I do not deny that for a moment. I think and hope that the right hon. Gentleman is as delighted as I am that this has helped, because I myself never thought that this problem of finding jobs for people who need them was essentially a party political matter.

asked the Minister of Labour the average number of dock workers signing on in Merseyside docks for whom no work was available at the latest available date.

In the week ending 31st January the average daily number of registered dock workers surplus to requirements in the Merseyside ports was 4,168.

In view of the steady and persistent refusal of the Conservative administration in Liverpool to agree to the scheduling of this area as a Development Area, which eventually had to be done over their heads, will the hon. Gentleman say whether he expects now any improvement in the dock employment situation on Merseyside, or must those who are discharged from dock employment take their turn in the queue for these new factories?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows very well, because he has previously asked a Question on this matter, last November the figures were much worse. At that time, they were 5,610 or 26.2 per cent. of the register. I am glad to say that they have now fallen to 19.9 per cent. of the register, and while we hope they will go lower still, at least we can say that the position has improved.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed were registered at the Brixton employment exchange in January, 1952 and 1953, respectively.

1,589 at 14th January, 1952, and 2,594 at 12th January, 1953.

These are deplorable figures. Will the Minister explain how it is that there is this very substantial increase, in the neighbourhood of 66 per cent., compared with the figure for last year, whereas the average increase over the whole of the London and South-Eastern region is in the neighbourhood of only 30 per cent.? How does he account for this situation? What action is he going to take to cope with it?

Perhaps we might again at least gets the facts right. I agree with the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the increase is a very large and worrying one, but it is not quite so black when one looks at the actual figures and finds that the reasons are largely seasonal. The three trades worst affected are the catering and hotels trade, the distributive trades and the building and civil engineering trades, and those may improve later in the year.

Does the hon. Gentleman not think that this upward trend in underemployment and unemployment in so many areas suggests that there is something wrong with the Government's economic policy?

No, Sir. What I think it suggests, and the way we look at it, is that we are moving into a period of intense foreign competition. I hope we shall face up to it successfully.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this subject on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to state the number of dwellings completed by the East Kilbride Development Corporation in the 10 months since 31st March. 1952.

Three hundred and twenty-three.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the figure represents the completion of about 60 per cent. of the housing programme of the Development Corporation in 80 per cent. of the time allotted for it? Is he also aware that that is matched by a decline of approximately 15 per cent. in the number of labouring workers employed by the Corporation? Does he consider that a satisfactory state of affairs?

I can only say that the rate of building at the present time is somewhere in the region of 60 to 70 houses per month, or about 800 a year, and about 500 will be completed in the financial year 1952–53.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that 11 million bricks were imported from Belgium in 1952; and, since the price of these bricks adds £130 to the cost of a house, what action he proposes to take to ensure adequate supplies of local bricks for the Scottish housing programme.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Works and I have already taken steps both to increase the production of bricks and to secure economies in their use.

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate to the House precisely what steps have been taken? Is he aware that if he makes an investigation into the position in Scotland he will find many brickfields and brickworks which were declared redundant at the beginning of the war because of the stupid policy of rationalisation and cannot he do something to have them put back into production?

I am glad to say that the imports amount to less than 2 per cent. of Scottish production. Production rose by 12 per cent. last year compared with 1951, and in 1953 it should be higher. We are also improving on economies in the use of scarce materials, such as bricks, and by these various measures I trust that the situation will improve.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the possibility of encouraging the increased use of stone as a substitute for brick as an assistance to an industry which is rapidly dying out in Scotland?

I have previously answered Questions my hon. Friend has asked on this point. I, personally, would welcome the use of stone where cost, and so on, permits.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the most serious aspect of this question is the added on-cost of £135 to the building of the house; and as we are all concerned to get houses built at a cheaper rate, is it not extraordinary that during the campaign for cheapness steps are being taken by his Department which actually increase the cost of the house, and which builders cannot cope with in their attempt to get a cheaper house?

I have tried to explain that the steps we are taking are in the opposite direction, towards using fewer foreign imported bricks, thereby reducing the cost of the house, not only in that way but also by using fewer bricks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to take steps to extend grants available for the erection of private houses to cover new houses built by crofters or by other private individuals, subject to the approval of the local authorities and his Department.

Grants are already available under the Agriculture (Scotland) Act, 1948, for houses for crofters in the Highlands and Islands who are landholders or cottars in terms of the Small Landholders Acts, and under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1952, for houses for members of the agricultural population generally.

While I appreciate what has been done, I also appreciate that private house building assistance is open to difficulties and needs to be under some control. Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there are still many people who could build a good and cheap house for themselves if they could get assistance, which they cannot get under the present law?

I understand the point, but at present no subsidy or grant is paid for houses built for owner occupation. It could not be done without legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to secure a greater measure of mechanisation in the building of municipal housing in Scotland.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Works and I take every opportunity of reminding the industry and local authorities by way of demonstration and otherwise of the importance of mechanical aids. Many large contractors for local authority houses make considerable use of these aids

Is the Secretary of State aware that even at the present rate of progress it will take nearly a quarter of a century before the housing problem in Scotland is reasonably solved? Can he not speed up the process of mechanising the building industry?

I can assure the hon Gentleman that we are doing all we can to speed up the matter and that we fully realise the importance of mechanisation. I think we are progressing.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local education authorities now grant partial remissions in charging for school meals; and which local authorities do not make such remissions.

Twenty-one. With permission, I will circulate the names of the others in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of those who do not make remissions are Tory-controlled local authorities—all of them are, very likely—and how can he carry out the undertaking to prevent hardship being suffered by children as the result of the recently announced increase in school meal prices if those authorities do not undertake a policy of remission?

The fact that they do not undertake a policy of partial remission does not mean that they do not give total remission in necessitous cases. Authorities who have no arrangement for partial remission have been asked to submit them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many temporary civil servants are at present declared redundant in Government Departments in Edinburgh; and how many in the temporary category have been dismissed in the past 12 months from these Departments

I can, of course, only speak for the Departments for which I am responsible. In these, the figures required are 57 and 169.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why temporary civil servants are being declared redundant and subsequently dismissed from certain Government Departments in Edinburgh while, at the same time, more highly-paid established civil servants are being asked to volunteer to work overtime for the purpose of undertaking the work of the personnel who are being declared redundant.

In one of my Departments, established staff recently worked a small amount of overtime beyond normal departmental hours for a special purpose bearing on work being done largely by temporary staff. I can assure the hon. Member, however, that overtime of this kind is not being incurred by established staff for the specific purpose of taking over work from temporary staff. In the case mentioned, the overtime involved was the equivalent of two clerks for two weeks.

Is it a fact that 34 highly-paid machine operators were transferred from one Department to another to do work which was formerly done by 15 temporary civil servants of comparable service?

That is a different question, but I believe the hon. Member is correct and that for a temporary period a number such as he has mentioned were transferred to do a certain job of work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total value of economies proposed by local education authorities in the past year; what this amount is expressed as a percentage of total expenditure on education; and whether he is satisfied with the results of the economy campaign.

The economies proposed by education authorities for their financial year 1952–53 amount to about £290,000, which represents approximately 0.7 per cent. of their estimated expenditure. I regard these proposals for the current year as acceptable, but the need for economy will continue, as the authorities, I am sure, recognise; and their estimates for next year should be framed and will be examined with this in view.

Does not that figure show how near to the bone local education authorities are working? Do not that figure and the fact that new school buildings last year amounted to £2 million less than in 1951, taken together, represent an outrageous attack on the educational system, for which the right hon. Gentleman is being attacked by the Tory Press in Scotland?

The figure of 0.7 is not a very vicious attack. We shall do our best to maintain an efficient service.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into some of these economies, for they seem to be false? For instance, it is no economy, in Edinburgh or elsewhere, to have painters wandering the streets, idle, in winter-time and schools not being painted, because what is saved on education is lost at the employment exchange.

I certainly agree with what the right hon. Gentleman has said. Points such as that require careful investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to take steps to amend the remit of the Forestry Commission in Scotland so that it can undertake amenity planting as it can in England.

The statutory powers of the Commission are the same in Scotland as in England. In the planting and development of all their forests the Commission pay due regard to amenity considerations.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind, in relation to the Forestry Commission, the value of amenity planting, particularly for the tourist industry and particularly for the future?

Yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Forestry Commission will hardly look at any plans for afforestation involving less than 300 acres and completely neglect the whole problem of shelter belts and amenity planting? Can he do something about it?

I should not say that the Forestry Commission ignore the whole problem of shelter belts; I have seen some planted by the Commission. I should welcome anything in the way of amenity planting.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about increased flooding of the River Clyde in recent years; and what measures he is prepared to take to protect agricultural land affected by it.

I have received no representations in recent years about increased flooding on the River Clyde. I am, however, concerned about the land drainage problems presented by periodic flooding in the Hamilton-Motherwell areas and in other parts of Scotland, and I am discussing with the interests concerned the lines of possible amending legislation to enable such problems to be dealt with.

Will my right hon. Friend consider instituting a survey to establish the facts about flooding in the Clyde, particularly as valuable horticultural land has been subject to inundation in recent years and caused the loss of money and the waste of good food-producing possibilities?

I will certainly consider it. A preliminary survey is being carried out, but not a full survey.

As these discussions have been going on for a long time now, can my right hon. Friend say what is holding them up?

They are very complicated matters, and it will require legislation to implement the decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many payments for ploughing subsidy are still outstanding in Aberdeenshire; and the reason for the delay.

Outstanding claims from Aberdeenshire number 31, out of a total of over 5,500. These are cases in which further information and inquiry are necessary.

Is the total of 5,500 for the whole of Scotland or for Aberdeenshire?

I am referring to Aberdeenshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the public concern in Ayrshire in regard to the efficiency of the National Health Service, with particular reference to the shortage of trained medical and surgical consultants.

If my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have particulars of any deficiencies that have been brought to his notice, I shall be glad to consider them.

While welcoming my right hon. Friend's suggestion, might I ask whether he is not aware that there has been a disturbing number of resignations lately, especially amongst consultants; and is he satisfied that the West of Scotland Regional Board is adequately and effectively dealing with this unsatisfactory situation?

I am assured that the Regional Board are taking proper steps to replace those who have resigned.

Is the Secretary of State aware that in the West of Scotland, and in Ayrshire in particular, since the inauguration of the National Health Service we have had a better full-time consultant service than we ever had previously, and that there were more part-time people; and that the doctors generally, the general practitioners, have expressed to me personally their satisfaction at the better service now available since the National Health Service was started?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Scottish Economic Conference last met; how often it has met under his chairmanship; and when it is to meet again.

The Scottish Economic Conference last met on 12th May, 1950, under the Chairmanship of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Greenock (Mr. McNeil). No matters for discussion at the Conference have since been suggested by its constituent members, and I see no occasion at present for calling a further Conference.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think, in view of what is obviously his own attitude towards it, as well as that of his predecessor, that it is high time we wound up this thing once and for all and forgot about it?

I will look into that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to restore the herring fishing this year in the Islands of Barra and Eriskay; and whether it has yet been decided to establish a herring processing plant at Castlebay.

Repeated efforts since the war have failed to locate any large shoals of summer herring off Barra; in autumn and winter most of the herring from the Barra grounds are landed at mainland ports where there is access to the home market. The Herring Industry Board do not consider the landings likely to be made at Castlebay would justify the provision of herring processing plant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if there were a processing plant at Barra it would not be necessary for the fishermen to make these uneconomic journeys to the mainland to sell their fish; and will he not get in touch with the Herring Industry Board to consider having plant on an appropriate scale to what herring there is?

I agree that landing on the mainland does add to their journey, but, as I hope the hon. Gentleman will agree, it would only be a sound proposition to build a plant if we knew that a sufficient number of herring would be landed.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the Castlebay herring cures into an article of a succulence and delicacy of taste without equal in the world, for which there is a tremendous demand in the United States of America; and will he ask the Herring Industry Board to pay special attention to this, because we get, and rightly get, far higher prices for these herring than for any others?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to make a comprehensive statement of the damage done by the recent great storm in the North-East of Scotland to life, limb and property on shore and at sea.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to give a comprehensive account of the damage done to persons, property and boats in Scotland as a result of the recent storms; and what steps have been taken, and are to be taken, to give succour and eventual rehabilitation to the sufferers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to make a further statement as to the extent, and the effects, of the recent gale damage to Scottish forests.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to arrange for equipment and financial assistance to clear and store the vast numbers of trees felled by the hurricane of 31st January in Scottish forests.

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I will make a statement at the end of Questions in reply to these Questions.

Is the Secretary of State aware that steps should urgently be taken to deal with this problem of fallen timber—

I think the hon. and learned Gentleman might wait till he gets the answer at the end of Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the anticipated load factor of the hydro-electric works embodied in the Breadalbane project No. 25 Constructional Scheme, capacity installed 88.5 megawatts, referred to in the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (Constructional Scheme No. 25) Confirmation Order, 1953; and the anticipated coal economy equivalent based on that load factor and a conversion rate of 1.31 lb. of coal per unit of electricity generated, generally in accord with the average conversion rate of British Electricity Authority power stations in 1952.

I am informed by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board that the expected load factor of hydroelectric works embodied in the Breadalbane project will be approximately 40 per cent.; and that the expected saving in coal at a conversion figure of 1.31 lb. per unit of electricity generated will be about 180,000 tons annually.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the cost, £/per megawatt installed, respectively, including and excluding capital costs in respect of distribution facilities, for the 88.5 megawatts installed capacity of the hydroelectric works embodied in the Breadalbane project No. 25 Constructional Scheme, referred to in the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (Constructional Scheme No. 25) Confirmation Order, 1953.

I am informed by the Hydro-Electric Board that the estimated capital cost per megawatt to be installed is about £170,000, or if the cost of transmitting the power to the Board's grid is added about £180,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the anticipated dates of commencement and completion for the hydro-electrc works embodied in the Breadalbane project No. 25 Constructional Scheme referred to in the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (Constructional Scheme No.25) Confirmation Order, 1953; and the aggregate consumption of cement, bricks, steel, cast-iron, and timber for all the works described in the Explanatory Memorandum, Command Paper No. 8740.

I am informed by the Board that they hope to start construction of the Scheme this year, and to produce electricity from it in about four years' time. The Scheme should be substantially completed in five to seven years' time. The Board estimate that the Scheme will require 120,000 tons of cement, 12,000 tons of steel and 800 standards of timber. Use of bricks and cast-iron will be negligible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland with which representative bodies he proposes to have discussions about the shortage of teachers; and when these discussions will commence.

It is proposed to have consultations with the associations of local authoritles, the National Committee for the Training of Teachers and the Educational Institute of Scotland. I hope that these consultations will take place in the near future.

While I hope that these discussions will bear some fruit, might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not agree that the question at issue is something which cannot be settled by discussion amongst the interested parties; and is he not aware that what is really in issue is the use to which one of our scarcest economic assets, namely, educated manpower, is being put, and should not he be discussing it in the Cabinet instead of with interested parties?

The question of changes in the superannuation scheme has, of course, been discussed elsewhere before agreement was reached, and I think that now the right step is to have proper consultations with the teachers' organisations.

As a matter of interest, could my right hon. Friend say for how long this shortage has prevailed?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reconsider his decision to withdraw the certificate from St. Mary's Girls' School, Bishopbriggs, in view of the fact that this is the only intermediate approved school for girls in Scotland.

No, Sir. I am satisfied that Roman Catholic girls of the age-range covered by this approved school can be adequately provided for elsewhere.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that everyone who knows anything at all about this social problem will deprecate strongly his decision, which means that girls of this intermediate age group will be housed in the same building as girls of the senior age group? Is he not aware that this will merely aggravate a grave social problem?

I fully understand the hon. Lady's anxiety on this matter. We have corresponded and, as she knows, a new school at Bishopton which will accommodate 40 girls will be opened this year. The school to which the hon. Lady refers, St. Mary's School, is in a very bad state of repair and a lot of money would be needed to repair it. I can assure the hon. Lady that this closure is not immediate, and I give an undertaking that it will be reviewed before the actual decision to close it is taken.

Before the decision is taken, and indeed when the review is being undertaken, will the Secretary of State keep very much in his mind the grave social problems that are entailed in this question? Will he also consider, if the present building is not suitable, what chances there are of finding another building which will be separate from that of the senior pupils?

I will bear in mind the hon. Lady's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many experimental crofts are being run with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture; where they are situated; and what further steps he proposes to give technical assistance and practical demonstrations of new methods to crofters.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to demonstration crofts, of which there are six functioning at present. Three are situated in Skye, two in Sutherland and one in South Uist. The crofts are being operated by selected crofters under the guidance of the North of Scotland College of Agriculture and from funds provided by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. I hope that during the next financial year it may be possible to establish in addition a pig and poultry demonstration unit and to strengthen the advisory staffs of the North of Scotland and West of Scotland agricultural colleges in the crofting areas.

Would the Secretary of State see whether he can establish such a croft in the Shetlands? Will he bear in mind that if these crofts are run under true crofting conditions they are extremely valuable for the improvement of crofting throughout the Islands?

I should be glad to see one established in the Shetlands. It might be useful, and I will certainly bear the suggestion in mind when we can go further in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the population of the crofter counties in 1870, 1900, 1930, 1939, 1945 and 1952; and what he estimates it will be in 15 years.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in order to maintain the employment position in the Highlands when the hydroelectricity schemes are completed, once merchandise timber is available, if he will take steps to encourage saw millers and processers of wood to establish themselves in the area by private enterprise, or by amending the terms of reference of the Forestry Commission in Scotland.

The programme of Highland development envisages an increase in the sawmilling and woodworking industries when the forestry programme comes into full effect, but at present the production from Highland forests is largely in pitwood and thinnings. The Government will do everything possible to encourage private firms to establish themselves in the area. The Forestry Commission have already powers to establish and carry on woodland industries, and no amendment to these powers is therefore necessary.

Will the Secretary of State bear in mind that some of the timber of the Forestry Commission in the Highlands is already maturing and therefore there is need for haste in these matters if we are not to see the present timber being grown in the Highlands sent South?

I can assure my noble Friend that the Forestry Commission are alive to this position and that they have plans under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how far the committee which he has set up to study the siting of slaughterhouses is empowered to consider the more general questions of slaughter and marketing.

The committee which I am setting up will be empowered to review generally the siting of slaughterhouses and facilities they should provide. It will not be concerned with marketing policy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole question of the siting of slaughterhouses is of very great importance in Scotland and that a great deal of preliminary work will have to be done before any new scheme can be brought in? Will he give as much advance information as he can to the farmers concerned so that they have a chance to work things out in advance?

At the moment there is no intention of altering the functions and duties of the Ministry of Food. A change in the marketing system would arise only when controls could be done away with.

When considering his plans, will the Secretary of State give special attention to seeing that in slaughtering there is no unnecessary cruelty to the animals concerned?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken by his Department to implement the provisions of the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland) Act, 1951, in the counties of Midlothian and Peebles.

Orders will be made shortly establishing river purification boards for the Lothians and Tweed areas. These Orders will cover the whole of the counties of Midlothian and Peebles.

Is the Minister aware that there is a strong feeling in Midlothian and Peebles that the situation has become a great deal worse during this year?

The Orders to which I have referred will be made before the end of this month. We are trying to make progress.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that some of the very small burghs may be hard hit by this, and required to produce sewage schemes far beyond their financial capacity? Will he bear this aspect in mind?

Yes, Sir, it will be borne in mind.

May I ask the Minister if he remembers that, when we discussed that Act, one of the Scottish Ministers and myself expressed this point of view and that we did not get the backing of the hon. Member for East Aberdeenshire (Mr. Boothby)?

asked the Secretary of State for War what coordination exists between the efforts of British Forces in Malaya and French Forces in Indo-China.

There is a close interchange of information and liaison visits are made between these theatres. Diplomatic and Staff discussions have taken place and will also be held in the future.

Can my hon. Friend assure the House that the Government will lose no opportunity of improving this machinery of consultation and discussion with the other interested parties?

Yes. Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many persons are now employed at the War Office; and how this figure compares with that of 12 months ago.

The strength on 1st January this year was 7,107. This is 315 less than the figure for 1st January, 1952.

But can the hon. Gentleman say whether he thinks it possible to carry out by the end of the financial year the 10 per cent. reduction which the Minister pledged himself to carry out at the beginning of the financial year?

The hon. Gentleman will remember, I have no doubt, that my right hon. Friend gave as his objective a 10 per cent. reduction at the time of the Estimates. The Estimates for this year will be introduced shortly and I think the hon. Gentleman will find, when he compares those two figures, that the target of my right hon. Friend will be very nearly achieved.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now give a decision as to whether the War Office are to acquire the Newton House Estate on Fylingdale Moor, near Whitby, in view of the fact that his Department has delayed the decision for some years.

Planning clearance was received on 6th February and instructions were issued on 7th February for negotiations to be opened for the purchase of Newton House Estate. As has been explained to my hon. Friend, planning clearance was a prerequisite before a decision to acquire the estate could be taken.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that this property was requisitioned in 1940 and subject to a public inquiry in 1948, and will he do everything he can to see that in 1953 its future is finally settled?

Yes, Sir, we are most anxious to get on with this type of case, but to introduce harmony into the many interests concerned, which is necessary before one can arrive at a solution, is not always easy.