asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that visitors to London are forbidden to take personal photographs in the Royal Parks by means of a camera mounted on a tripod although the use of a hand camera is permitted; and if he will amend this regulation.

The taking of photographs with a stand camera is not forbidden in the Royal Parks, but a permit is required. The purpose of this old regulation is to help in the control of commercial photography. I am considering, as part of a general review of parks regulations, how this control could be maintained without interference with amateur photographers.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for agreeing to look at the matter again, but does he appreciate that it is a bit of a nuisance for visitors to have to apply for permits? Is he aware that many commercial people have applied for permits and have gained admission very easily, so that what he seeks to avoid is not prevented by this method?

The matter does want looking at again.

asked the Minister of Works the value of factory building authorised in 1953; and what was the value of work completed.

The value of factory building licensed in 1953 was £170,072,000. I am unable to give the contract value of factory buildings completed during the year. The amount of work done during the year is estimated, on the basis of the figures for the first 11 months, at £111 million.

Does the value of the work accomplished compare favourably with the amount of work held up or refused? Can it be said that industry generally has got more or less what it wants?

Licences for factories are not now being held up. The manufacturer has, of course, to go to the Board of Trade and clear the distribution of industry procedure.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that raw bituminous coal is burned in the grates in the offices of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in Whitehall and that a serious nuisance thereby occurs; and what steps he proposes to take in order to abate this nuisance.

Bituminous coal is the most suitable fuel for the remaining open grates in Government offices, Great George Street. Modernisation of the heating services in the building is in progress, and by the end of 1957 the use of open fires should have ceased.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the widespread feeling against smoke pollution in various parts of this country? Does he think it will encourage local authorities to proceed with their ideas of providing smokeless zones when the Government of the day were not prepared to show them some example by way of improving conditions in London, as during the fog or "smog" last year?

Out of 987 rooms, only 172 are left with open grates, and they are only suitable for burning ordinary coal. If we were to provide "Coalite," we should have to pay nearly double for it, and I think the best thing is to get on with changing the system.

asked the Minister of Works to give figures to show what reduction there has been over the last 12 months in the amount of requisitioned property held by his Department in Scotland; and whether he will forecast the date by which all such property will have been returned to its owners.

During the last 12 months, the total area of buildings and land derequisitioned by my Department in Scotland was 186,128 square feet and 243 acres, respectively. I am anxious to release all requisitioned property held by my Department, but I cannot yet say by what date the process will be completed.

Would my right hon. Friend care to make a guess at the date? Will it be in a year's time, or two years, or how soon?

I think the only useful information that I can give to my hon. and gallant Friend is that I hope that a further 180,000 sq. ft. and a further 180 acres will be released this year. There are now nearly 400,000 sq. ft. and 790 acres left on requisition, so that we are getting on.

Is the Minister aware that many of the offices occupied by his Department in Edinburgh are in a type of building which is now becoming vacant, and that a great many of these places are empty? Is he not aware that it might be a considerable waste to build new buildings in order to vacate property which will become empty and simply an eyesore to the public?

If the right hon. Gentleman will let me have details of empty office buildings in Edinburgh, I should be much obliged.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will reconsider the decision to acquire the whole of Carlton House Terrace for rebuilding as a new Foreign Office; and whether, in view of the fact that it has now been found practical to rebuild as flats and other premises without altering the Nash front, he will so develop it himself or dispose of the site to a commercial enterprise who will.

No, Sir; the Foreign Office needs a new building near Whitehall. As regards the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion about flats, the Commissioners of Crown Lands, who own the site, consider, and I agree, that the best use for the site would be as offices.

Is it not a fact that this decision was entered into at a time when it was thought that it was impracticable to do anything with this building commercially without pulling down the front? Surely it has now been found practicable to alter the building and make proper commercial use of it, and is it not therefore absurd to have one of the most valuable sites in the world occupied by rows and rows of clerks opening unceasing telegrams?

I do not agree with the right hon. Gentleman that it is now accepted that this building could be used commercially. I do not think it could. In any case, the Foreign Office is scattered about London now, and it would be greatly to the advantage of their work if we could concentrate them in one place.

Am I right in understanding the Minister to say that it is intended to pull down Carlton House Terrace?

The façade will be preserved.

asked the Minister of Works how many elms in Kensington Gardens have been cut down; how many are to be cut down; what steps are taken to ensure that a tree is dangerous or diseased before it is cut down; and what steps have been taken in the past and are being taken now to replace condemned trees.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my replies of 14th July, 1953, to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford and Stone (Mr. H. Fraser) and of 1st December, 1953, to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Dudley Williams). Out of about 4,000 trees in Kensington Gardens, some 400 elms have been or are shortly to be felled. Advice on the trees was obtained from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, and Edinburgh, and from the Department of Forestry at Oxford University. The rotten state of the trees which have been felled has fully confirmed what the experts told me. It may be that in the past more replanting should have been done. In future, this work will be carried out continuously.

Is it not a fact that a fairly high proportion of the trees that were cut down proved to be perfectly sound on inspection?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in the light of experience gained at the concert held in Westminster Hall on 17th December, he can see his way to arranging or permitting a few further concerts during the present year; and whether some of these might be on Mondays or other days when the House is sitting.

The Christmas carols which were sung in Westminster Hall by the Board of Trade choir gave great pleasure. I am ready to allow, in consultation with the other authorities of the Palace of Westminster, one or two more concerts during the year.

Do you appreciate, Mr. Speaker, that it was largely owing to the presence of your son in the choir that the singing was of such a high order?

asked the Minister of Works how many licences he has granted to sell bird food and take photographs in Trafalgar Square.

There are two licences in force for corn-selling and six for photography.

Does not the Minister think that he ought to remove the shackles of monopoly and allow a little competition in the matter?

It appears to satisfy both the pigeons and the public.

asked the Minister of Works if he will now make a further statement on recent advances in the development of the uses of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

I have at present nothing to add to the very full statement made by my noble Friend the Lord President of the Council in another place on 14th December, 1953; but it will be my aim to keep the House informed of our progress in this matter.

Can the Minister say whether atomic energy is yet practicable for the propulsion of ships, particularly fishing trawlers? That was not dealt with in the statement in another place.

I cannot answer that without notice.

Can the right hon. Gentleman make any announcement about the projected atomic energy breeder station in the North of Scotland? Has he any idea when a decision will be reached about this important project?

When a decision is reached, a statement will be made to the House, and I hope it will not be too long before that happens.

asked the Minister of Works what survey has been made of the quantities of economically recoverable uranium and thorium in this country and in the colonial overseas countries; how much has already been utilised; what is the estimated consumption for the next 12 months; and what is the cost per pound of extracted material.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 9th November, 1953, in respect of survey work in the United Kingdom; and to that given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the right hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. Dugdale) on 10th December, 1952, in respect of Northern Rhodesia. Surveys of other colonial territories have been made, but no deposits have yet been discovered which would justify mining at the present time. I regret that it would not be in the public interest to give any figures of utilisation or cost.

Who is responsible for carrying out the surveys now? Is it the Ministry of Works, the new Atomic Energy Corporation, or some United Nations body?

At the present time the Lord President of the Council is the Minister responsible.

asked the Minister of Works what disciplinary action has been or will be taken against Security Officer Smith arising from this officer's conduct of inquiries about employees at his Department's establishment at Risley, Lancashire.

Complaints about this officer have been fully examined. It is clear that in the course of his investigations he made certain errors. For these he has already been reprimanded.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this particular case was not an isolated one? Is he aware that another security officer—and this is why I asked the Question about disciplinary action in this case—who was investigating the conduct of a woman executive officer in the Civil Service made inquiries of her newsagent as to what papers she read and of her trades people to find out whether she owed them any money? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that, if his attention is drawn to information of this kind, he will take the strongest action against these security officers?

I shall be very glad to convey to my noble Friend the Lord President of the Council any information which the hon. Member will give to me.

asked the Minister of Works how many security questionnaires have been completed by employees at the Risley establishment; what percentage of the total remain to be screened; and in how many cases further investigation or action has been found necessary.

The agreed security procedure is in operation at the Risley establishment as at other establishments of the Department of Atomic Energy. The hon. Member will appreciate that it is not in the public interest that details of this work should be disclosed.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that a very large number of people working in these establishments strongly object to this procedure, and that their trade unions are very worried about the procedure? Unless he can convince the House of the usefulness of this procedure, why on earth should this invasion of private citizens' rights continue?

All these people know that they are working on very secret processes, and they must realise that it is the duty of the Government to take steps to keep that information secret.

Is it due to the secrecy of this information that the Minister is not aware that atomic energy is now being used in the propulsion of submarines? Why, then, cannot it be applied to trawlers?

I said that I would look into that question. All these men are in touch with secret information which would be of benefit to those who wish to pry into our secrets.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Scottish port workers have been transferred from port to port in Scotland to facilitate the loading and discharge of vessels; which ports were involved; what are the figures for each; how many of such port workers were on a daily basis; how many on a period basis; if he will state the amount of time saved by this arrangement of transfers; and what is the net effect on efficiency, costs and wages.

As the reply to the first part of the Question contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate them in the Official Report. With regard to the remainder of the Question, I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave to the hon. and learned Member on 27th October last.

Has not the operation of this scheme, which was introduced by the previous Government, greatly improved relations between those who actually do the work and those who employ them to do it?

Yes Sir; I think it is going very well.

asked the Minister of Labour what approaches have been made to his Department's employment exchanges by the management of a West-End hotel, of which he is aware, during the last 12 months for kitchen and other staffs; if he is aware that the management have insisted that they will not take coloured people; and what was the nature of the reply given by his officers.

I am aware that at least one hotel in the West End of London will not engage coloured workers in a few occupations. This hotel makes regular use of the employment exchange service which, in accordance with general practice, takes note of employers' special requirements.

Is that the Green Park Hotel, which operates the colour bar against visitors? Are we to take it that the Green Park Hotel do not allow any coloured workers to do the menial jobs in the kitchen? Do they insist that they will not take on any coloured workers? Can we have some further explanation?

It is not for me to pronounce on individual cases but to make it plain that the employment exchange service of the Ministry of Labour does not exercise any discrimination on grounds of race or colour.

What happens if a coloured worker is inadvertently sent to this hotel and the management refuse? What advice does the Minister give to the management about taking on staff?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will be kind enough to put that question down.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the number of workers who are awaiting the results of wage applications made on their behalf by their respective trade unions and the growing industrial unrest that is being experienced in industry generally; and what plans the Government have to bring about a reduction in the cost of living and thereby peace in industry.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. and learned Friend and I are aware that important wage negotiations are in progress. We are confident that the employers' and workers' representatives concerned are fully conscious of their responsibilities and will take full account of the national interest.

We are also aware that industrial unrest can most successfully be avoided by effective joint negotiation. As hon. Members know, much is being quietly achieved in this field. During 1953, the cost of living has been steadier—[Hon. Members: "Oh."]—than in any recent year and, indeed, the index number of food prices has shown a decline in the past few months. [Hon. Members: "Hear, hear."] May I get on? But the cost of living is not the only factor which enters into industrial negotiations, although it is important that the facts should be known to the parties about this as about all other relevant matters. It is my right hon. and learned Friend's hope, and that of Her Majesty's Government, that, with good will from all concerned, fair settlements will be arrived at that will ensure the maintenance of normal close and friendly relations in industry. Such relations are essential if we are to attain higher levels of productivity and efficiency.

Can the Minister honestly, sincerely and truly believe that statement that his officials have given him? If so, will he go out and meet some of the workers and the trade union leaders, and particularly housewives, because they will tell him that he has got all his facts and figures wrong and that the price of food is continually rising. [Hon. Members: "No."] That is the reason for this Question. Will he consult with the Trades Union Congress to get some correct facts on the position?

This is a very important matter, and I hope that this House will not try to play party politics—[Hon. Members: "Oh."]—about matters of fact. It is the duty of my Ministry to state the facts, and I have taken steps to see that they are facts. I hope that no hon. Member on either side of this House will accuse the Ministry of Labour of partiality on the part of its officials or, I hope, on the part of its present political heads. I am satisfied that the statement I have made is fair and correct. The food part of the Index has fallen in the last six months from 113·8 to 109·6. I am not trying to make any party political point out of this but to state facts, and they are still facts whether hon. Members like them or not. The last point I want to make is that the Interim Index of Retail Prices was started in 1947 under the Socialist Government and that the wages of three million people depend upon its accuracy.

Whatever the hon. Gentleman may say about the effect of the drop in the price of eggs, is it not a fact that, in the case of bread, butter, cheese, rice and tea, what cost 10s. in October, 1951, now costs 15s., having gone up 50 per cent.?

It is not the duty of the Ministry of Labour to pick out separate items in order to try to prove or disprove any particular case. It is our duty and my duty to give the figures. I have given the figures of the 42 per cent. of the Index which is devoted to food pro- ducts, the widest range that goes into the normal shopping basket. It is that part of the Index which has declined.

rose—

We cannot go on debating these matters at Question time.

asked the Minister of Labour on what date the Scientific Committee last met to discuss the Index of Retail Prices.

The Retail Prices Index Technical Committee last met on 29th February, 1952, but there was subsequent correspondence with the members, concerning the plans for the household expenditure inquiry. The Cost of Living Advisory Committee last met on 3rd November, 1952, for the purpose of giving final approval to these plans.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that the scientific committee, which reported in March, 1952, asked for certain new weightings which they described as "temporary expedients" of only approximate merit? Would he not agree that since then there has been a most revolutionary movement because of the slashing of £100 million of food subsidies, which means for the foods which normally have to be bought most often—as people have to eat three times a day—that the weighting system is probably now obsolete? Would it not be a very good thing if the Minister were to call the Committee together and ask for the relevance of these weightings in the changed conditions which obtain, owing to the action of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

We always keep this Index under review and we shall be only too pleased to look at any time at any matters raised by the hon. Gentleman. I hope that the underlying inference is not that this is some sort of false index. It is as accurate as any impartial body can possible make it. It is just as well to establish that, because as I have already said, three million workers depend upon it. It has never, in its long history, been attacked on the ground that it is either unfair or inaccurate.

asked the Minister of Labour how many registered dockers were surplus to requirement on Mersey-side each day from 1st January, 1954, to date.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate them in the Official Report.

Can the Minister tell us the highest daily surplus that he has

asked the Minister of Labour his intentions with regard to the conscription of the Cardiff man, whose name has been supplied to him, who has been classified in medical category grade I for National Service despite the fact that he has been in attendance at the Cathedral Road Tuberculosis Clinic for six years, has had three lung operations, and is suffering from a rheumatic heart.

The tuberculosis clinic has confirmed that there is no evidence of present disease. The lung

The average daily surplus for the group during the year was 1,299, as compared with 3,593 in the same period last year. I will send the hon. Lady full details.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reasonable statement, may I ask whether he is aware that this action has only been taken following upon the Question appearing on the Order Paper of the House, that he himself sent me a letter, when I had brought all these facts to his notice, still insisting that the man must do his service, and finally that I am very grateful that publicity has led to action?

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. As I have said, all we want to do is to get these things right.

asked the Minister of Labour the average age of the members serving on the medical boards set up under the National Service Acts.

The average age of members serving on National Service medical boards is 53 years.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is willing to extend the basis of representation on conscientious objectors tribunals to include ministers of religion representative of various denominations.

No, Sir. The present method of appointment, as laid down in the Fourth Schedule to the National Service Act, 1948, has proved satisfactory in practice, and I should not be in favour of altering it.

Is it not a fact that Lords Spiritual and Temporal are part of our State machinery? Furthermore, if we have ministers of religion in the Forces attending to the spiritual requirements of the men, surely it is time that the Minister should be just to the spiritual laws.

We went very fully into this in debate not long ago, when I gave, in detail, the reasons why we think the present composition of the tribunal was as fair as we could make it.

Is the Minister aware that there is widespread dissatisfaction with much of the questioning done in local tribunals, especially in regard to religious objectors? Will he seriously consider whether people more expert, and more understanding of such issues, should not be given a chance to sit on the tribunals?

Perhaps the hon. Member misunderstands me. There is no bar at present to the appointment of a member who happens to be a minister of religion. In fact, we have recently appointed one to the London local tribunal.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will amend the National Service Act, 1948, so as to give him power, by regulation, to lay down general principles upon which such tribunals are to proceed in deciding whether an objector is to remain registered in the register of conscientious objectors.

No, Sir. The National Service Acts deliberately placed on the independent tribunals the sole responsibility for deciding these cases. In my view, it would be a retrograde step to ask Parliament to empower my right hon. and learned Friend to fetter their judgment by regulations.

Is the Minister aware that there is wide disparity in the sentences meted out by the tribunals to conscientious objectors for the same offence, and therefore would it not be a good thing if the Minister kindly looked into this again so that proper guidance might be given to tribunals when making their decisions?

We shall certainly look at it again, but I cannot give any promises.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of young people who registered for military service in 1953 were subsequently granted exemption from National Service.

The National Service Acts do not empower my right hon. and learned Friend to grant exemption to any person who is liable under those Acts, but on the assumption that the hon. Member has deferment in mind, I am sending him a copy of the Ministry of Labour Gazette for November, 1953, which contains information relating to the latest count on 12th October, 1953. National Service statistics based on the year of registration are not available.

I thank the Minister for his helpful reply, but in view of the fact that 30 per cent, of young men of military age do no service because they are covered by the industry in which they serve, does he not think that it is straining the argument that conscription is the fairest way of calling people to the Colours when such a large proportion are never called?

After I have sent the hon. Member these figures perhaps he would like to put down a Question. I quite agree that there is a certain amount of misunderstanding about this, and it might be a good thing to get it cleared up.

asked the Minister of Labour how many qualified teachers were called to the Colours straight from college, and before beginning teaching, in each of the years 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953, respectively.

Such information is not readily available, but I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the imminence of spring and of necessary seasonal farm work makes urgent the clearance of fallen timber from Aberdeenshire farms; and if he will now make a further statement on the progress of this work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any further report to give of the progress in regard to the clearance of wind-blown timber as a result of last year's storms.

As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 20th October last, the need for the speedy clearance of the wind-blown timber is fully realised and everything possible is being done to this end. With permission, I shall circulate in the Official Report a full statement of the progress made, but the House may be interested to know that about two million cubic feet of timber is being cleared each month, and if this rate can be maintained the bulk of the timber will be cleared within the estimated period of two years.

Is the Minister aware that under the cover of this fallen timber have developed large colonies of rabbits which sally forth and damage the growing crops, and what does he intend to do to protect those crops?

That is really a separate question. The obvious answer is to get the timber out of the way so as to get at the rabbits.

Does the Minister know that a great many smaller areas and estates are finding it impossible to get contractors to undertake clearance of the timber because the contractors prefer to go to the large areas where there is steadier work? What is the policy of his Department in this matter?

We are doing our best to group the smaller estates together so as to provide units more attractive to the merchants, but I agree that there are still isolated areas—some inaccessible—where we find a satisfactory solution difficult.

Has my hon. Friend any information as to the truth of the statement in the Question that spring is imminent in Aberdeenshire?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the policy of his Department concerning high transport costs; and what action he proposes to take.

The transport undertakings must of course, follow a policy of making charges which will cover their outgoings. My right hon. Friend is aware that transport costs are a matter of concern in the North of Scotland, and he is in close touch with the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation in considering the current proposal of the British Transport Commission for an increase in freight rates.

Can my hon. Friend say whether his right hon. Friend is continuing to press the Transport Commission to introduce a tapering charges scheme? Does he realise that as far as concerns the fishing industry in Aberdeen—the main fishing port of Scotland—these high transport costs are really getting very serious indeed, and may well mean the blocking of the renewal of the fleet and, possibly, a steady decline for a number of years? What does his Department propose to do?

The hon. Lady may be interested to know that, following an initial exploratory discussion about the possibility of reduced rates for fish traffic by rail from Aberdeen, a committee consisting of representatives of the Aberdeen Fish Curers' and Merchants Association and of British Railways has been set up to go further into the matter. No information as to the course of these discussions is as yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the River Forth is polluted to such an extent that it causes destruction to many salmon; and how soon this problem is likely to be tackled.

I am aware that the pollution of the Forth presents a serious problem. The question will be one for the Forth River Purification Board which my right hon. Friend has recently established and which I hope will be functioning within the next few months.

Is the Minister aware that the Forth has been recently described by one of the officials as a sink of filth, and that it would be much easier to preserve the fish by getting rid of the pollution than by having the vendetta against a few fishermen which seems to be pursued by the Forth River Purification Board?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how long the police have been allowed to enter educational establishments for the purpose of investigating the activities of teachers with Communistic political convictions, and whether he will put a stop to such practices forthwith.

It would be contrary to police practice to conduct investigations in this way and I know of no recent case in which they have done so.

I know of one such case. Does the Minister realise that, according to the headmaster who gave me the information, two plain clothes policemen recently entered his school and, without informing the individual concerned, asked about his Communistic affiliations as they affected his teaching? Will the Minister give specific instructions to the police force in Scotland that this practice must cease forthwith, and does not this, and other cases which I shall produce very soon, emphasise the absolute importance of having an investigation or inquiry into police methods in Scotland?

I have no reason to believe that such an inquiry is desirable, but if the hon. Member can give particulars of the single case he has in mind, or others he may yet bring forward, we shall look at them.

The headmaster concerned has asked me not to reveal his name because he fears victimisation, but is the hon Gentleman aware that some of my constituents, other than teachers, have been approached by the police and asked about certain Communists in the area, and will he make an attempt to stop this?

It is quite impossible for the hon. Member to ask us to do what he is asking if he does not give the evidence.

Does not my hon. Friend think it highly undesirable that any Communist should be teaching the children of Great Britain?

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will appoint a committee to investigate the related problems of water control, flooding, soil erosion and mineral subsidence in the valley of the Clyde, and to examine the desirability of establishing a Clyde Valley Catchment Board.

As was indicated in a previous reply on 17th December, 1953, my right hon. Friend considers that the setting up of a catchment board for the Clyde Valley at this stage would be premature. The difficulty in regard to the Clyde area, as elsewhere in Scotland where flooding conditions exist, is the present lack of legislative powers to carry out remedial works, and an investigation of the technical questions involved would not in itself open up the way to a solution of the problem.

Is my hon. Friend aware that if we pressed ahead on the technical preparations and were able to assemble the hydrographic data now it would be possible to press on with remedial measures later on? At present, no single body has power to inquire into the relative factors throughout the Clyde Valley. Will he have another look at this matter?

It would not be practicable for us to set up a committee to examine the problems of the Clyde alone. There are other areas in Scotland where flooding takes place, and to set up a committee with a remit for the whole of Scotland would raise very great difficulties. I think we should wait.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to introduce drainage legislation which will enable steps to be taken to prevent the flooding of houses and agricultural land.

As I indicated to the hon. Member in a reply given on 17th November, 1953, the discussions with the interested bodies have not yet been concluded, and I am therefore unable to make a statement at present.

Is the Joint Under-secretary not aware that many of our local authorities, farmers and householders are very disturbed at the lack of activity by the Government in connection with recurring flooding throughout Scotland? Does he not think that the negligence in this matter is deplorable? It is causing a loss of food production; many homes are flooded annually, and great expense is caused to local authorities each year because there is as yet no indication that this problem will be tackled in a realistic fashion.

As the hon. Gentleman knows, there is really no lack of activity on the part of the Government. Nothing can be done in the particular area in which he is interested without further legislation. We are now in consultation with the various interests concerned—farmers, landowners and local authorities—but, until we get agreement on the methods to be employed, it is impossible for us to take the steps required.

Does not the Joint Under-Secretary agree that, although I have had this reply very many times, on the last occasion he indicated that something would be done this Session? That promise has now receded. Can he give any indication when legislation is likely to be introduced to deal with this problem?

I cannot give any date.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new industrial enterprises have been established in the Highland Development Area in the last three years; and what alteration of policy or readjustment of Departmental responsibilities it is proposed to make to improve this position.

As regards the first part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 14th December. It is the Government's policy to encourage the development of suitable industrial projects in the Highland Development Area. My right hon. Friend is in the closest touch with the President of the Board of Trade about this, but I should emphasise that much must depend on the willingness of industrialists to establish themselves there.

Does my hon. Friend not agree that the main object of this operation is to support the population and prosperity which is necessary for healthy agriculture in the Highlands? As there has been virtually no development, might not more responsibility be given to agricultural authorities rather than to the Board of Trade, which is, not unnaturally, preoccupied with other priorities?

Scrap the hydro-electric scheme.

I beg to give notice that I shall seek an opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what sites are available in Edinburgh and Leith for industrial development.

There are 16 acres of land at Sighthill and 17 acres at Granton available for industrial development. The Corporation of Edinburgh's development plan, which is at present before my right hon. Friend proposes the provision during the next 20 years of 354·5 acres of new industrial sites, of which 37·5 acres would be in Leith and Seafield districts. The plan also proposes, in the same period, the clearance for industrial use of about 69 acres at present mostly occupied by obsolete or obsolescent buildings, of which 18·2 acres are in Leith.

In view of these figures and the high level of unemployment in Scotland generally, can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say what steps his Department are taking to bring these sites to the notice of industrialists?

Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to put down a Question to that effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the Dundee School of Economics to be taken over by the University of St. Andrew.

The relevant Section of the Act cannot be brought into force until the university court has made arrangements with the town council about the transfer of the school and the statutory commissioners have made any necessary ordinances. I cannot yet say when this will be.

Is the hon. Member aware that the Dundee Education Committee has expressed grave anxiety about the way this seems to be taking place and the uncertainty which results in this vital field of university education in Dundee?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations were made to the Coatbridge police for permission to interview Hugh Green, arrested on 22nd November, before his conviction on 23rd November; by whom were the representations made; and what was the nature of the reply.

I am informed that no such representations were made.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he has already given me that reply and that we are ready to submit incontrovertible evidence that arrangements were made, and of the names of the persons in the police office to whom they were made? Will he look into the matter further if he is supplied with this further information?

Yes, my right hon. Friend will be very ready to look at any evidence the hon. Lady cares to present to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, to meet the representations made by the deputation from Newmains to the Minister of State.

A number of suggestions for providing alternative employment for some of the men who were employed at Coltness Foundry have been taken up urgently with the departments and authorities concerned, and my right hon. Friend will communicate with the hon. Lady as soon as possible.

Is the Joint Undersecretary of State aware that I have in my hand a letter of 21st January in which he gave me the same information. Is he also aware that the reply which he has given today strengthens my fears, and certainly the fears of my constituents, that Ministers at the Scottish Office are dealing in a complacent way with these matters? Surely I and my constituents had a right to expect that there would be some information available at this moment?

The hon. Lady has no right to say that. There is no complacency at all. We are most anxious about the situation there. We have pressed forward our inquiries with other Departments, which, indeed, we must do, with all urgency. I assure the hon. Lady that any representations she cares to make to us will find us most sympathetic.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to approve the request made to him by the Glasgow Corporation for authority to requisition certain empty houses to the number of approximately 1,500 in view of the number of homeless in Glasgow at the present time.

My right hon. Friend has informed the Corporation that he cannot accede to their request.

In view of the fact that people in Glasgow are being sent to prison for squatting in vacant houses, is it not possible for the Secretary of State to get in touch with the Glasgow Corporation to decrease this very serious local problem? Can the Joint Under-Secretary say what is to be done about it?

I would remind the hon. Member that local authorities need not rely on private citizens in order to meet their housing needs. They have adequate powers to acquire houses, and my right hon. Friend has brought this fact to the notice of the Glasgow Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many protests he has received from local authorities against the Housing Repairs and Rents (Scotland) Bill.

Up to and including Monday, 25th January, my right hon. Friend has received protests of a general nature against the Bill from 15 local authorities (including three district councils). Representations have also been made to him on specific points in the Bill by six other local authorities.

The right hon. and gallant Gentleman will be aware that many local authorities in Scotland have not yet had an opportunity of coming to a decision on this Bill, but have not the representations which he has received given a clear indication that local authorities, generally, are not anxious to have this Bill? Even at this late date, will he not consider withdrawing the Bill because of the representations he has received and will continue to receive?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to give his decision on the re quest made to him by the Clyde Valley Planning and Redevelopment Committee that a new town be built at Cumbernauld, Stirlingshire, to deal with Glasgow's housing problem.

No, Sir. The Clyde Valley Planning Advisory Committee is still considering the machinery it would wish to recommend for carrying out this and other developments which it may propose for dealing with Glasgow's overspill. Pending receipt of these recommendations, which we hope to have soon, my right hon. Friend has arranged for a technical examination of the Cumbernauld area to assess its suitability for the proposed development.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many substandard houses there are in Leith; and if he will give an estimate of what percentage this is of the houses coming within the control of the Rent Restriction Acts;

A survey by Edinburgh Corporation in 1946 showed that 6,781 houses could be regarded as unfit and 39,108 as sub-standard but not unfit. Of these houses, 1,733 and 8,994 respectively were in Leith. As regards the second part of the Questions, no information is available on which to base any reliable estimate.

In view of these very large figures, can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say what proportion of these houses fall to be dealt with under the new Housing Repairs and Rents (Scotland) Bill, and how much it is going to take to put them into a habitable condition?

As I said previously, no definite information is available on that matter.

If the right hon. and gallant Gentleman does not have this information, how did he produce this Bill which is supposed to deal with the problem, and how does he know what the problem is?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that local authorities are refusing to exercise their powers to take over vacant houses by acquisition on the advice of their legal advisers that such procedure would necessitate many months of delay and that the price fixed by arbitration or the district valuer would be on the present high level of exploitation value of vacant possession; and if he will make a statement.

I assume that the hon. Lady refers to the statutory procedure for the compulsory purchase of houses. My right hon. Friend has received no representations that this procedure involves undue delay or that the statutory provisions for determining the purchase price are inequitable.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether any local authorities have, of late, used their powers to acquire and, if not, has he asked them why they have not done so?

Perhaps the hon. Lady will put down a Question to that effect.