asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Scottish Affairs relating to roads and bridges in Scotland; of the dangerous nature of the Bridge of Don at Aberdeen which links two essential parts of a main traffic artery to the northeast of Scotland, and of the urgent representations of Aberdeen Corporation that it be widened; and, in view of these facts, if he, in collaboration with the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, will take immediate steps to implement the promises of the Government to have this bridge widened.

My right hon. Friend is in consultation with the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation about the Scottish schemes to be included in the expanded road programme. As the hon. and learned Gentleman is aware, my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, will be making a statement on the subject very soon.

Is the Minister aware that from correspondence I have had with the Ministers, it appears that each of these two Ministers is seeking to place responsibility on the other? As neither of them holds out any hope of the bridge being built before 1956, and as this will inflict great loss and damage on the people of Scotland, will he take steps to improve the position?

There is no ground whatever for the suggestion that Ministers are "passing the buck," one to the other. The closest consultation takes place. As to the Bridge of Don, the hon. and learned Gentleman will perhaps await the statement.

This bridge has been under consideration for a very long time. Before a statement is made will my hon. Friend make representations that the bridge should have a much higher priority than has apparently been allotted to it to date?

I hope that my noble Friend will not be disappointed with the answer she receives.

Is this not a united affront to Aberdeen?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to specify his plans, in conjunction with the Scottish Tourist Board, for improved facilities, transport, and amenities to attract to Scotland during the coming year greater numbers of tourists than in previous years.

The Scottish Tourist Board, who have my right hon. Friend's full support, are continuing their efforts in many fields to expand the tourist industry in Scotland. They are confidant that the number of visitors in 1955 will again show an increase.

Having regard to the close proximity of Northern Europe to Northern Scotland, will the Minister take steps to reduce passport formalities for tourists from Northern Europe to Northern Scotland for short holiday periods?

I am much obliged to the hon. and learned Gentleman for that suggestion. Of course, it will be considered.

Is it not true that in past years, through the efforts of the Scottish Tourist Board, increasing numbers of tourists have come from Norway, Sweden, and particularly Denmark, and will my hon. Friend do everything he can to encourage shipping facilities at the ports of Scotland, particularly on the East Coast, to increase these numbers?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland are now afflicted by poliomyelitis; their ages; where they are; and how these figures compare with the figures for the last convenient period of 1954.

I shall, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing by areas, and in age groups, the distribution of the 32 provisional notifications of poliomyelitis received during the four weeks ended 25th December, 1954, and the 14 provisional notifications received

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he will consider ordering a survey of flooding problems in Scotland, with a view to preparing a national plan to avert the annual loss of food production due to this cause; during the four weeks ended 22nd January, 1955. These figures represent approximately the number of cases in the active stages of the disease at the stated dates.

Can the Minister say at this stage whether the figures are falling or rising?

There has been a considerable fall since the figures were given to the hon. and learned Gentleman early in October or the beginning of November. The fall is from 97 to the figures which I have just given.

A survey of the kind mentioned would not serve any useful purpose at present. A good deal of information is already available on the subject, and we are constantly adding to it. As my hon. Friend knows, the difficulty has been to devise legislative means of dealing with the problem that will be acceptable to the interests concerned. His interesting suggestion will certainly be examined, but my right hon. Friend cannot indicate a prospect of immediate legislation.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that Scotland is a poor country and can ill afford this annual scourge of flooding, which decreases our food production very seriously? Is he also aware that although much information is to hand, there is very little information to hand about the conditions in the Clyde Valley; and will he pursue his inquiries with all possible energy, as the matter is urgent?

I would remind my hon. Friend that we have been endeavouring to get agreement with regard to legislation, and discussions are still going on. We have not yet reached agreement.

I hope the Minister realises that most of his reply is disappointing. Is he aware that there is an urgent need for overall responsibility for many of the rivers in Scotland, and that this matter does not only affect the low-lying areas, which would be of good agricultural value, but that a difficulty is also arising in the case of industrial properties, and that production may be seriously affected, particularly in Kilmarnock?

Will my hon. Friend consider giving publicity to those interests who will not come in with anyone else in a neighbouring village, because that is what is holding up matters?

My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that a great number of interests have to be consulted on the question of the maintenance of schemes after completion. It is not easy to get everyone to agree, but we are doing our best to get agreement on dealing with the problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the rates collected per head of the population for the last two years in Scotland.

The rates—excluding domestic water rate—that local authorities in Scotland expected to collect were equivalent to £8 7s. 2d. per head of population in 1952–53 and £9 2s. 8d. in 1953–54. Figures of actual receipts are not yet available.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman explain why our rates in Scotland per head of the population are always higher than the rates in England and Wales?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what land scheduled for industrial development remains undeveloped, and where are the sites in the County of Dunbartonshire.

In the County of Dunbartonshire, including the large burghs, about 536 acres are reserved, or are to be reserved, for new industrial development in the development plans of the local authorities concerned. Of this total, about 429 acres are available for early development. Sites are available in or near all the main centres of population in the county. I am sending particulars to the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind the fact that in the Twechar-Croy-Condorrat-Kirkintilloch triangle many coalmines are working out and that in a few years time they will be exhausted, as a consequence of which a serious situation will arise in this part of the country unless some industry is very quickly induced to go to the area?

Can the Minister say how many schemes of industrial development proposed by local authorities have been turned down by the Scottish Office?

That is a question of which I should require notice.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that there is a large area in the Highlands of Scotland which was scheduled as a Development Area and where no development has taken place?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the cost, £/MWI., respectively, including and excluding capital costs in respect of distribution facilities for the one-and-a-half megawatts installed capacity of the hydro-electric works embodied in the Mucomir project. Con struction Scheme No. 26, referred to in the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (Constructional Scheme No. 26) Confirmation Order, 1954.

The capital cost per megawatt to be installed in the Mucomir project, based on the estimates submitted to Parliament, is £250,000. The capital cost of connecting the station to the local distribution network will be negligible, as it will be within 20 yards of the existing lines.

Without commenting on the merits or demerits of this proposal, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that the cost per kilowatt installed is evidently nearly twice as great as the average of formerly completed schemes, and can he give us a reason for this very sharp advance in cost?

I am not sure that my hon. Friend is right about that. I rather think that the estimated cost per megawatt is less than in some of the previous schemes.

I said "average."

My answer is that the estimated cost is less than in some of the previous schemes, and, in any case, my hon. Friend will see from the answers which I shall give to some of his subsequent Questions that this scheme has rather exceptional attractions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the anticipated load factor of the hydro-electric works embodied in the Mucomir project Constructional Scheme No. 26 installed capacity one-and-a-half megawatts referred to in the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (Constructional Scheme No. 26) Confirmation Order, 1954; and the anticipated coal economy equivalent based on that load factor, and a conversion rate of 1·25 lb. of coal per unit of electricity generated, or otherwise generally in accord with average efficiency of British Electricity Authority power stations.

My right hon. Friend is informed by the Board that the expected load factor of the hydro-electric works embodied in the Mucomir project, based on the installed capacity of 1·5 megawatts, is 68 per cent. The expected saving in coal at a conversion figure of 1·25 lb. of coal per unit of electricity generated is about 5,020 tons annually. If the average figure of 1·35 lb. is taken, the saving would be 5,424 tons.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the correct pronunciation is "Mucomeer"? May I ask him whether he is further aware that the load factor which he has given is highly satisfactory as compared with the previous average of all completed schemes, which was only 27 per cent.? May I remind my hon. Friend that I made recommendations to him along these lines three years ago, since when a great deal of money has been wasted?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the anticipated dates of commencement and completion for the hydro works embodied in the Mucomir project No. 26 Constructional Scheme referred to in the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board (Constructional Scheme No. 26) Confirmation Order, 1954; and what independent advice as to the technical and economic soundness or otherwise of the Mucomir project he has taken other than the views and proposals and advice of those employed by, or contracting to, the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.

The Board hopes to start work on this scheme before the end of this year, and to complete the work in about two years from the starting time. The scheme was approved by the British Electricity Authority before it was submitted to my right hon. Friend for confirmation.

A very good answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to increase the acquisition of land in Scotland by the Forestry Commission so that new planting of timber may be maintained.

Joint rural development surveys covering 1½ million acres have been carried out since 1947 by the Forestry Commission and the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. As a result, 50,000 acres have been acquired or provisional arrangements made for acquisition. A further million acres are in course of being surveyed. In addition, over Scotland as a whole, Forestry Commission officers are continually inspecting land offered for sale, and this work is being intensified.

Will the Minister bear in mind the anxiety expressed by the Forestry Commissioners in their last Annual Report on this matter? Can he say whether, by the time that they make their next Annual Report, that anxiety will have been dispelled?

I cannot make any promises, but I think that we at least expect to maintain the acreage.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of arrestment of wages under Section 2 of the Small Debt (Scotland) Act, 1924, took place during each of the years 1951 to 1954, respectively.

I regret that this information is not available.

Is the Minister aware that under Section 2 of the Act, debtors can have their wages impounded, leaving them only 35s. a week, which figure is now grossly out of date and is causing great anxiety, and will he consider an amendment of the law in order to deal with this point?

One realises that, but the matter is now being considered, so far as it can be, by the National Assistance Board and also by the Royal Commission on Marriage and Divorce, and, until that Commission reports, it is a little difficult to make up one's mind about it.

Would the hon. Gentle man also bear in mind that this is the only way in which Scottish wives can recover maintenance from husbands who desert them? Surely, if there is a great amount of arrears, 35s. is quite sufficient for any husband who has deserted his wife.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what area of Scotland is scheduled as private woodlands; and how much of that area is at present being developed to produce timber.

The area of woodlands in Scotland in private ownership is estimated to be 829,000 acres, which includes 210,000 acres of scrub, much of which is unenclosed and remote. Of the remaining 619,000 acres, 419,000 acres are either being managed in agreement with the Forestry Commission or to its satisfaction. The remainder is being steadily absorbed into the two categories referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date building of the new school at Mill of Haldane Housing Scheme, Balloch, will start.

I understand that work on this project is starting this week.

In thanking the Minister for that reply, might I ask him if he is aware how unsatisfactory the position is at Balloch; and will he give every assurance that his Department will assist the local authorities in getting this scheme completed?

Yes Sir, I will gladly give that assurance. As the hon. Member knows, this work would have started but for the bad weather we have been having recently.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to publish details of the Government's plans for the future location and arrangement of slaughterhouses in Scotland.

This matter has been examined by the Scottish inter-Departmental Committee on Slaughterhouses whose Report my right hon. Friend has just received and hopes to publish shortly. The Committee's recommendations will require to be discussed with the local authorities and other interests concerned before decisions are reached.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether there will be an opportunity to consider the Report and have a discussion before a final decision is arrived at?

I will certainly consider that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the talks designed to effect improvements in conditions at doctors' surgeries.

It has now been arranged that executive councils in Scotland will undertake a review of consulting accommodation in all areas where adequate arrangements for this purpose have not already been instituted.

Can the Minister give us any indication when some positive action will be taken in this matter? Is he aware that there are complaints about unsatisfactory conditions in surgeries, and that some firm action is necessary?

I cannot give any assurance. I know what the situation is, and I hope that the executive councils will get on as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the nature of the discussions he intends to have with educational representatives on the question of teachers' superannuation; and which organisations are to take part in such discussions.

The discussions will be concerned with the preparation, in consultation with the local authorities and teachers, of a scheme designed to ensure a sound financial basis for teachers' pensions. The organisations invited to attend are the Association of County Councils, the Association of Counties of Cities and the Educational Institute of Scotland, together with corresponding associations in England and Wales.

That sounds very much like the statement we had before the last Bill was introduced. Can the Minister now give us a specific assurance that the teachers will not be called upon to increase their superannuation payments?

No, Sir. It would be improper of me to give any assurance of that kind. The Government have stated the basis upon which these consultations are to take place. They have made it clear that the idea of consultation is to provide a sound financial basis for the future, and I think we had better leave these competent people to put their own case. I can assure the hon. Member that the Government will give a most sympathetic hearing to what they have to say.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many people are at present on the waiting list seeking admission to Edinburgh hospitals;

At the end of 1954 the total number of persons recorded as awaiting admission to Edinburgh hospitals was 8,567, of whom 3,659 were on the list of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

How many private beds were in those hospitals?

The hon. Gentleman must give me notice of that question.

I beg to give notice that, due to the alarming nature of that reply, I shall, at the earliest possible opportunity, raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that the present drug tariff for Scotland is in accordance with the award of the arbitration tribunal of June, 1951: and if he will make a statement.

This question was recently referred, by agreement between the Scottish chemists and my right hon. Friend, to the members of the Arbitration Tribunal. They stated that the present drug tariff was not contrary to their 1951 award.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the polluted atmosphere in the Carmyle and Mount Vernon area of Lanarkshire, due to the emission of poisonous fumes from Colvilles' Iron Works; and what steps he will take to remedy this matter.

Because of the nature of the processes carried on at these works, the prevention of air pollution presents special technical difficulties. The Department of Health for Scotland will, however, continue to keep in touch with the county council and the company with a view to the use of the best practicable means to prevent the emission of poisonous fumes.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that this matter was before his predecessors in office in 1946–47, and that in 1947 I had an assurance from the Minister of Supply and from the Minister of Fuel and Power that steps would be taken to mitigate this nuisance? Is he aware that I have reports about the situation becoming much worse, and will he see what can be done to remove this menace as quickly as possible?

I can assure the hon. Member that a great deal has been done. There have been improvements at a capital cost of £170,000, and in the Department's view the company is using the best practical means to prevent objectionable emissions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the numbers of children in Lanarkshire awaiting nose and throat operations; and the average waiting period.

There are 2,000 names on the waiting lists, many of whom have been there for some years and are unlikely still to be in need of operations. Recent additions to the surgical staff at Law and Stonehouse Hospitals will, I hope, result in much quicker disposal of such cases in future.

Is the Minister not now satisfied that this health service in Lanarkshire is hopelessly inadequate? Is he aware that, due to illnesses arising from the lack of this operation, school attendance has been shocking, and that I have had complaints from large numbers of parents that children are kept on the waiting list for over two years? Will he approach the regional hospital board to provide a reasonable service?

The regional hospital board is doing the best it can. The need for operations of this kind is frequently a matter of opinion. The purpose they serve is also sometimes temporary, resulting in improvements in the condition sooner than it would rectify itself by the passage of time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what precedent he is following in asking Glasgow to share in the overall deficit and at the same time make a rate contribution in respect of the proposed new town at Cumbernauld.

The Housing (Scotland) Act, 1950, enables local authorities to contribute to such extent as they think desirable towards the expenditure of new town corporations in providing housing accommodation to meet the requirements of the local authorities. There is no exact precedent for the proposal that, under these provisions, the Corporation of Glasgow should contribute towards the deficit incurred by a new town corporation since there are no comparable circumstances to which such an arrangement might have been applied.

As the right hon. and gallant Gentleman has intimated that there is no precedent for the action which the Government have taken, would he, as Minister responsible for housing in Scotland, get in touch with the corporation, and, as I suggested last Tuesday, drop altogether the question of dealing with the overall deficit, and concentrate on finding a solution to the problem of the rate contribution?

There is another Question on that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he has referred Glasgow Corporation to the Manchester and Bristol projects as having financial provisions analogous to those proposed by him in respect of the new town at Cumbernauld.

The Manchester and Bristol projects were quoted by my right hon. Friend, not because they involve financial arrangements analogous to those proposed for Cumbernauld, but because, while Glasgow appears to disclaim any responsibility for its housing overspill, both these corporations were proposing to develop new communities in the areas of adjoining authorities at their own cost.

Is not the Minister aware that the Bristol proposals were made under Section 4 of the Town Development Act, an Act which does not apply to Scotland at all? Is he further aware that the Manchester City Council intends its projects to be dormitory towns, an intention which Glasgow emphatically rejects?

I can correct the hon. Member in relation to Bristol. That Section applied to one scheme for 8,000 houses. In relation to the second scheme for 3,000 houses at Filton, in Gloucestershire, Bristol was to build entirely at its own cost, on the Manchester model.

Is it not correct that Bristol's view is not the unanimous view of English boroughs, and that Birmingham, for example, is adopting exactly the same attitude as Glasgow?

I am not informed on that point.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Dunbartonshire County Council concerning his proposals on financial arrangements relative to the proposed new town at Cumbernauld; and with what result.

None, Sir. My right hon. Friend has informed the county council that he has no proposals to put before it until his negotiations with Glasgow Corporation, for whose housing requirements a development at Cumbernauld would be almost exclusively designed, have reached a definite stage.

Does not that reply reveal a deplorable state of affairs? Since 1953, the right hon. and gallant Gentleman has indicated that the county council has been proceeding with Glasgow and with the Department on a tripartite scheme to build a new town at Cumbernauld. We are now informed that one of the principal parties has not even been consulted in the matter. When does the Minister intend to make the proposals known to Dunbartonshire County Council?

The hon. Gentleman's feelings may be relieved, perhaps, if I tell him that the county council has been officially informed of the negotiations with Glasgow. It was, in fact, invited to the meeting which the Secretary of State had with the Glasgow representatives on 25th November but was unable to participate in that meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has delayed the construction of the proposed new town at Cumbernauld; and what now prevents this project from being proceeded with on the same basis as Glenrothes and East Kilbride new towns.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Tradeston (Mr. Ranking of 25th January. The answer to the second part is that the circumstances are not comparable.

Is the Minister aware that his reply is not strictly in accordance with the facts? Is he not aware that at the public inquiry dealing with the setting up of East Kilbride, counsel for the Scottish Office indicated specifically that East Kilbride was being set up to take Glasgow's overspill population? Will he not proceed now with Cumbernauld on that basis?

I am not aware that my information is incorrect.

asked the Secretary of State when a decision to proceed with the Cumbernauld new town is likely to be given; and how long it will take there after before building operations commence.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Tradeston (Mr. Rankin) on 25th January. As regards the second part, it is estimated that it would be about 12 months from the date of any final decision to approve the project before actual building operations could commence.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that he has been handling this problem for over two years and has not yet come to a decision? Is he further aware that by the time a decision is reached, Glasgow will have absorbed all its building sites and there will be a complete cessation of house building in Glasgow, with disastrous results?

I deny that my right hon. Friend has been holding matters up. He has been pressing for the matter to be dealt with as much as he possibly can. He now awaits a reply to the suggestions made to the Corporation of Glasgow.

Is the Minister aware that it is more than 10 years since Sir Patrick Abercrombie reported to the Government that Glasgow required four new towns? Is he further aware that, under the Labour Government, Glasgow got East Kilbride and is now awaiting three more new towns? Does not the Minister think that to treat Glasgow as it is being treated now is the most mean and contemptible thing in Scottish history?

The hon. Lady will remember that the Corporation of Glasgow, which was not composed of persons favourable to this Government, emphatically denied the necessity for any provision for an overspill from the City of Glasgow.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the contents of the letter he addressed to the Corporation of Glasgow on 25th November last, in regard to the new town at Cumbernauld.

My right hon. Friend did not write to the Corporation on 25th November, 1954. At a meeting that day with representatives of the Corporation he suggested that they should examine the arrangements being made by other cities for dealing with their overspill problems, and invited them to submit thereafter any counter-proposals that they might wish to put forward.

Does the Minister recall that I suggested last Tuesday that the Secretary of State should consult Glasgow Corporation on the question of the rate contribution and drop the question of Glasgow sharing in the overall deficit? Is he further aware that the Secretary of State indicated last Tuesday that he had made a proposal on those lines to the Corporation of Glasgow, but that the minutes show that no such proposal was made at all?

My right hon. Friend did make a proposal to the Glasgow Corporation, and he is now awaiting a reply from the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board's schemes for electricity for each of the islands of Barra, Vatersay, North Uist, Bernera, Baleshare, and Grimsay, are to begin.

I am informed by the board that surveys of distribution schemes on Barra and North Uist are nearly complete, and that it expects to invite tenders for the work in the spring or summer. Subject to the tender prices being acceptable, it is hoped to extend the Barra scheme to Vatersay and the North Uist scheme to Bernera and Grimsay. The board tells me that an extension to Baleshare presents more difficulty and is being further examined.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what approaches have been made to him by the Inverness County Council for financial assistance towards the cost of constructing a road into the township of East Gerinish, Isle of South Uist.

In June, 1954, the County Council of Inverness stated that a road scheme in respect of East Gerinish, South Uist, would be submitted for consideration for grant assistance during the current financial year, but firm proposals have not yet been received.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that an elderly lady with a broken thigh and other injuries was refused National Health Service air ambulance transport from the Isle of Lewis to Inverness and compelled to make a long sea crossing and a further long journey overland without any nurse or other female attendant; and whether he will take steps to prevent such treatment of patients in future.

The decision to send the patient by land and sea instead of by air was made by the consultant surgeon of Lewis Hospital, Stornoway, who regarded heir as medically fit to travel by that method. My right hon. Friend does not propose to interfere with the discretion of experienced medical men in such matters.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this case involved a lady 70 years of age who had a broken thigh and an injured arm, and whose two legs were strapped together in plaster? She could have gone from Stornoway to Inverness in a matter of 40 minutes by air, but she had to make a long and uncomfortable sea journey and then an overland journey of about four hours in an ambulance, without any female attendant at all. Is that an example of good judgment on the part of anybody? How can the Minister defend that treatment? Will he give an assurance that it will not happen again?

I cannot speak about the injuries from which the lady was suffering. All I can speak about is based on the information of the consultant who attended to her. I would add that the patient herself was satisfied with the arrangements.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I was expressly asked by the family concerned if I would raise this matter, in order that other people would be spared such treatment?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to expedite the building of halls and community centres in new housing areas.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to increase Exchequer assistance for the provision of village halls and community centres in new housing areas and elsewhere; and similar recreational facilities. My right hon. Friend has asked education authorities to consider giving an even greater degree of support than hitherto to projects of this nature; and he hopes also to entertain more applications from local authorities and voluntary bodies for grants under the Physical Training and Recreation Act, 1937.

Could the hon. Gentleman make a more definite statement than that? Is he not aware that in many of these new housing schemes there are no communal facilities at all? People are isolated from the towns and have to travel long distances, and this has become a really urgent problem.

I agree, and we hope that the new measures which we are taking, and the exhortations which we are addressing to the local authorities, wilt have the desired effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what regulations he has made regarding the carrying of batons by the police in Scotland, and their use in controlling crowds.

My right hon. Friend has made no such regulations; nor has he any power to make them.

Surely my right hon. Friend has the general power over the administration of the police in Scotland? As he has recently asked for a report on the use of batons by students? in Aberdeen after the rectorial installation on 21st January, may I not, therefore, assume that he has overall responsibility for policy?

Yes, he has overall responsibility, but the question of the use of batons, or, in other words, how the police carry out their duties, is the responsibility of the local police authorities. I would ask my noble Friend to appreciate that as criminal proceedings may be raised in this matter, I would rather not speak further upon it.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that on 25th January I wrote to him on this subject and asked him to set up a judicial inquiry at which all parties affected could be represented? Will he tell the House what steps he is taking to have the matter judicially inquired into?

I must ask the hon. and learned Member to bear with me. Criminal proceedings may be raised, and it would not be proper for me to speak further upon the matter at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many disabled men in Scotland are waiting for cars of the type supplied for seriously war-disabled 100 per cent. pensioners; and how many have been refused because they have not the necessary disablement qualifications.

Out of 25 applications received since 31st August, 1953, when my right hon. Friend became responsible for the service in Scotland, 12 have had to be refused for the reason stated. Cars have been supplied to 11 applicants, and the other two are waiting for cars that have been authorised.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say why there should be any delay at all?

Because the cars have to be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of breeding ewes in Scotland in December, 1954; and how this figure compares with previous years.

The provisional figure for breeding ewes in Scotland in December, 1954, is 2,552,000, compared with final figures of 2,549,000 in December, 1953, and 2,707,000 in December, 1940—the latter being the earliest figure for breeding ewes available from the December returns.

Is it not obvious, therefore, that the reduction of 300,000 in the total number of sheep is due to the fact that lambs were slaughtered earlier this year, that there will be no ill-effect on the breeding stocks for next season, and that Scottish farmers can look forward with confidence to providing more lambs for the British housewife next season?

My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that the figures I have given show an increase in the permanent sheep stocks. The fall in the number of sheep is largely due, as my hon. and gallant Friend has said, to the earlier slaughtering of lambs, which was really brought about by the housewife demanding smaller joints.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any cognisance has been taken of the possible losses in the recent storms, and are these figures supposed to cover those losses?

No, Sir. The figures I have quoted relate to the year previously, but I can give the right hon. Gentleman the assurance that my information so far is that the losses in the north have been small.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farmers in each of the past three years have been prosecuted for maltreating schoolchildren engaged on potato lifting; and whether he will debar all such farmers from again having the use of schoolchildren.

This information is not available. Education authorities have power to debar an individual farmer from employing children who have been granted exemption from school at the request of their parents for potato lifting.

Is the Minister aware that one particular farmer, a Mr. Moncrieff, of Stratton Farm, Newport, Fife, was brought to court for, in the first place, slapping a boy's face and then, when he fell to the ground, kicking his body, for which he was fined 10s.? Will the Minister give a specific assurance that under no circumstances will this farmer ever again be allowed to employ schoolchildren for potato lifting?

We all regret that case, but I think the hon. Member knows that the Fife County Council, like other education authorities, has power to say that a man will not be allowed to have this assistance on any other occasion. I have no doubt that the Fife County Council, being a progressive body, will take the proper steps.

But will the Minister give a specific assurance that the Department will see to it that this farmer is not allowed to employ any more schoolchildren on this kind of work?

It is difficult for me to give that assurance, but I can tell the hon. Member that Regulation 2 (3) of the Exemptions (Potato Lifting) (Scotland) Regulations, 1952, requires employers to be approved by the education authority for the employment of children. I do not think we have any power to go further than that.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give an estimate of the acreage of land scheduled for buildings, factories, playing fields and other non-agricultural production in Scotland during the next three years and the estimated percentage loss to agricultural production.

I regret that the information available does not enable me to make an estimate of this kind.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend satisfied that every effort is made to use derelict ground within the circumference of built-up areas rather than take good agricultural ground.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give figures to show the acreage of land scheduled for afforestation during the next three years and the effect which he estimates this will have upon the stock of sheep, specifying the counties concerned.

Planting in Scotland to be undertaken by the Forestry Commission during the next three years is expected to total about 100,000 acres, and it is estimated that the number of sheep displaced will not exceed 8,500. There will be planting in practically all counties, but it is not possible to say with any precision what effect if any there will be on sheep stocks in any particular county.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that, apart from the effect on the sheep stock, this will not have a serious effect on the cost of wintering sheep in many areas?

We take account of all considerations in regard to afforestation and agriculture, and I do not think my hon. and gallant Friend need be alarmed at what has been done here.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the stock of cattle and sheep fell on the farms at Gruids in Sutherland, Inverleal, Rattagan, Strathconon, and Comrie in Ross-shire, Glenvarigill, Isle of Skye, and Aberchalder, South Laggan, and Ballachraggan in Inverness-shire, respectively, between December, 1929, and December, 1954, following the operations of the Forestry Commission.

The information asked for involves considerable investigation which it has not been possible to complete in the time available. I shall, however, write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Will my hon. Friend expedite his answer because the information is required by Scottish M.P.s of all parties who are meeting a delegation of Highland farmers on 8th February?

I will do my best to get the information but it does involve considerable investigation.

As there is considerable misapprehension and misunderstanding on this matter, can the Minister make clear that no land is taken from agriculture in Scotland without a case being made out and the Secretary of State having final adjudication?

That is perfectly true. All cases are examined by the Secretary of State, and the Department of Agriculture looks at the agricultural aspect.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many horses, ponies, cattle, sheep, and pigs, separately, died from cold or starvation during the recent snow, storms and floods this year; how many prosecutions took place; how many of each class of animals were involved; and, in view of the neglect of making adequate provision for their shelter, feeding, and protection, what action he is taking to avoid a repetition of such cruelty.

The detailed information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available but reports so far received do not suggest that the recent snowstorms have caused abnormal losses of livestock. My right hon. Friend is not aware of any prosecutions nor of any justification for the general implication in the Question that any losses which have occurred have been due to neglect on the part of stock owners.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what is the duty and responsibility of farmers and agriculturists to safeguard the lives of these domestic animals under such conditions, and in view of the fact that these climatic conditions do occur with regularity every winter, and a large number of animals are killed—one paper has given a figure of 250,000 sheep, which may be exaggerated—what precautions are taken to safeguard the interests of these animals?

I can put the hon. Gentleman's mind at rest in regard to the losses of which we are aware. A preliminary report on Caithness, Orkney, Shetland, and Sutherland, the counties principally concerned, indicate that very few deaths are attributed directly to the snowstorm. There are always losses of sheep in winter, but from the snowstorm so far very small losses indeed have been reported. In regard to any precautions taken, I think the majority of sheep farmers are out on the spot the moment the snow appears, and they take the best precautions they can to safeguard their sheep.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the present position in the establishment of background heating for temporary aluminium houses in Lanarkshire; and, in particular, when further progress may be expected at the Mill Road scheme.

My right hon. Friend has authorised the installation of background heating in 189 of these houses, of which 31 are at Mill Road, Cambuslang. This method of heating has not proved as successful as was hoped in remedying condensation. The Department of Health for Scotland is, however, examining alternative methods.

Is it still the policy of the Government that all houses structurally suitable for this type of heating should have it?

The position generally is that where this type of heating is suitable it is installed.

The investigation into this form of heating has been going on for many years. Can the Minister now tell us if he has any information as to how many houses are involved in relation to the total number of aluminium houses built?

No, Sir. Without notice I cannot give the hon. Member that information.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in the clearance of hutted camps in Lanarkshire; and whether he will make a further statement on Government policy in this matter.

The number of families remaining in the four hutted camps still in use in Lanarkshire has been reduced to 107. My right hon. Friend has offered to arrange that the Scottish Special Housing Association will build new houses to assist, directly or indirectly, in the rehousing of these families, and the county council is now seeking suitable sites. It is the Government's policy to clear hutted camps at the earliest possible moment.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that that answer will give great satisfaction because, apart from the very bad conditions in the camp, the huts in many cases are occupying land which could be more profitably used for other purposes, particularly in areas where there are few sites suitable for house building?

Will the Minister ensure that one hut is preserved to facilitate for the hon. Member for Lanark (Mr. Patrick Maitland) his long-promised summer holiday in these surroundings?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state, to the nearest convenient date, the number of applications made to local authorities for disrepair certificates under the Housing Rents and Repairs (Scotland) Act, 1954; and how many have been granted.

my right hon. Friend has asked local authorities for a return for the period up to 31st December, 1954, and hopes that the information will be available early in March.

Is not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, in Aberdeen particularly, a very high proportion of these applications are already being granted? That being so, will he not at least agree that the probability is that the proportion of these figures is very high indeed? Does not that, therefore, prove the value of the case made out by the Opposition in the protracted proceedings on this Act that it would fail in its purpose? Is he further aware of the statement of the Secretary of the National Federation of Property Owners in Scotland, who forecast that the Act would fail? What action does the Minister propose to take?

I do not think that it would be right for me to presume anything until information is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now satisfied that the Housing (Repairs and Rents) (Scotland) Act, 1954, is serving the purpose for which it was designed; and if he will make a statement.

The Act has been in operation for only five months and it is too early yet to judge its effects.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that: this Act was designed to placate the factors and property owners, and that they have now forecast its failure? Will he agree with the Opposition that the Act should never have been introduced at all?

The hon. Gentleman is completely in error.

Is the Minister aware that adverse criticism of this Act has been made by two Scottish sheriffs, who have said that it is impossible to interpret it because of its lack of clarity? Will he do something to put it in order?