asked the Minister of Labour the percentage increase in men's wages from October, 1946, to October, 1954.

Complete statistics covering all industries are not available, but in manufacturing industries generally and in a number of the principal non-manufacturing industries there was a rise of 69 per cent. in the average weekly earnings of adult male wage-earners between October, 1946, and October, 1954.

Is the Minister aware that during that period men have been working an hour longer than in 1946 and that if one also takes into account the fact that they are paying about 4s. extra contribution to National Insurance and about 3s. a week tax, the 69 per cent. comes down to about 60 per cent., while dividends and profits have risen by about 100 per cent.?

I cannot agree with the hon. Member's comparison. The statistical fact is that over that fairly long period the increase in earnings is a great deal ahead of the increase in dividends.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the six highest wage groups, with the average weekly earnings for each group, and also for agricultural workers for the first half of 1955, or later, if this information is available.

The latest available information about average earnings in different industries will be found in the in the September issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette.

But is my hon. Friend aware that these figures are nearly six months old and that I was asking for up-to-date figures? If the price of food had gone up as much as the price of coal, how would agricultural wages compare with miners' wages? Why should the nation have cheap food when it is prepared to pay for dearer coal?

The reason I cannot give my hon. Friend more up-to-date figures than are found in the Gazette is that we only hold this earnings inquiry twice a year. I have indicated where he will find the most up-to-date figures. I cannot answer his other question now, but if he is interested I will try to find the information for him.

Will the hon. Gentleman make it clear that it is not necessarily the case that the highest wage groups are the highest earners, and that in all of this there are calculations of tax, night work, overtime, and so on?

I always think it is unwise to go too deeply into statistical comparisons.

The hon. Gentleman should say that to the Minister of Education.

asked the Minister of Labour what action is taken by his Department before endorsing the police certificates of foreign workers in this country who wish to change employment without change of address.

The endorsement signifies that permission to take up new employment has been granted and is made when on inquiry the conditions for the grant of permission are found to be satisfied. In general, these conditions are the same as those applying to the issue of permits to foreigners coming to this country from abroad which were set out in the reply my right hon. and learned Friend gave to the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. F. Noel-Baker) on 1st December, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

In thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that in certain cases delay in the endorsement of these certificates causes unemployment, even though the new job is available to the applicant? Will he be good enough to ensure that the delay is reduced to the absolute minimum?

Yes, Sir. My hon. Friend has brought a case of that kind to notice, about which a reply will be sent to him. I know that my right hon. and learned Friend will also look at the general principle.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements he has made for the re-employment of skilled and unskilled workers now being made redundant due to the closure of the Hopkinson's Electrical Company's factory at Cardiff.

I understand that no workers will be discharged before the end of January. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has found another tenant for the factory who, it is hoped, will be able to offer re-employment to many of the workers. Those who are not engaged by the new tenant should have little difficulty in obtaining other suitable employment.

Is the Minister aware that that Answer will cause anxiety in the capital city, because he has by no means indicated that he is sure that everyone will be given work?

It is difficult for me because the hon. Member has a Question down to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade about the new tenant. From the viewpoint of my Ministry, I would say that when the name of the new tenant is known the position will not be too unsatisfactory.

As the name of the new tenant is Bristol Aircraft, can the Parliamentary Secretary say what it is going to do?

No, I am afraid I cannot.

In view of the grave shortage of electrical equipment, why is this factory closing down?

I do not know that either. All I can say is that I honestly think the prospects of employment for the workers will not be at all bad in the future.

asked the Minister of Labour when he will issue regulations under the Radioactive Substances Act to safeguard workers in industry against radiation hazards.

Draft special regulations under the Factories Acts for this purpose are in course of preparation. Further consultations are, however, necessary and there is a statutory procedure to be complied with before the regulations can be made. While I cannot be sure how long all this will take, it is hoped that the regulations may be made next year.

While welcoming that statement, may I ask whether the Minister recognises the importance of having these regulations published as soon as possible in view of the dangers which certainly exist in this connection? Does he also recognise that certain other countries have already published their regulations?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for raising this matter, but I think that he knows it is a very technical and difficult one, and we must get these regulations right.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the maximum number of disabled persons that can be employed in the Remploy Factory, Abertillery; the number now employed; the number on the list of disabled persons at the Abertillery Employment Exchange; and how many machines at the factory are still idle.

The factory could accommodate 100 workers; at present 75 severely disabled workers are employed and there are five others at present registered as unemployed at the Abertillery Employment Exchange. There are 11 sewing machines of different types not fully used, because they are not at present required for production.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this great scheme is not functioning as it was intended to do? In view of the very serious problem of these badly disabled people, will he not take steps to ensure that not only the Remploy Factory at Abertillery but Remploy factories all over the country are working at 100 per cent. production?

The difficulty with the Remploy Factory at Abertillery is that at the moment there are not enough orders to employ all the machines.

asked the Minister of Labour when he intends to publish the results of the 1953 household budget inquiry.

The Cost of Living Advisory Committee is at present considering some of the main figures resulting from this inquiry for the purpose of submitting proposals for a further revision of the Retail Prices Index. The Committee has not yet reported, but I hope that it will do so shortly, so that the revision of the index may be carried out and the detailed results of the budget inquiry may be published.

Can I take it from the reply that the detailed results will not be published until the new index has been compiled and all the work on the new index has been completed?

The first task is obviously to deal with the index, because, after all, that is the prime purpose of the inquiry. Therefore, the hon. Member is quite right in assuming that we want to get the index revised first. Shortly after that, it should be possible to publish the detailed results.

Has the hon. Gentleman any idea of the date?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour how far the cost of living has gone up since 1945 in money terms and also in man hours worked.

I regret that I cannot express the rise in monetary terms, nor can I give reliable comparisons with any period earlier than 1947 when the existing Retail Prices Index started. Between October, 1947, and April, 1955, the average level of retail prices, as measured by this index, rose by about 45 per cent.

Do I understand that the man-hours worked are about 1½ per cent. more than they were in 1945 but the standard of living is considerably higher and therefore, in terms of hours worked, the increase is not greater but smaller?

I should like to put it in a slightly different way. It is quite fair to say that the same number of hours worked today will earn a considerably better standard of living than was earned in 1947.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that since 1947 production has increased enormously and that if there were not an increase in earnings it would be a grossly unfair result for the workers? Would the hon. Gentleman further take note of the fact that, due to the rapid rise in the cost of living, especially over the last few months, extremely responsible trade unions are now in great difficulties? Would he tell the House why the cost of living is rising so rapidly while export prices and prices overseas are so favourable to us?

The important thing for my Department to look upon is real earnings, and by real earnings I mean the amount a man receives in real terms for his work. That has improved considerably since 1947.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schools in Scotland under his jurisdiction have facilities for the teaching and practice of swimming.

Twenty education authority schools have swimming ponds of their own. About 600 other schools arrange swimming instruction and practice elsewhere, usually in public swimming ponds.

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate what steps he is taking to increase these facilities so that the already great distinction of Scottish swimmers can be enhanced and developed from youth onwards?

I am entirely in favour of learning to swim, but of course our first job is to ensure that the necessary school buildings and places are prepared.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the hardship caused to the parents of schoolchildren over the age of 14 years who have to pay full adult fares for journeys to and from school; and if he will take steps to reduce such hardship.

No, Sir. Pupils who live beyond walking distance of their school have their fares paid, or transport otherwise provided by the education authority. Where pupils who live within walking distance choose to travel to school by public transport I understand that they generally receive fare concessions even if over 14.

Would the Minister not regard it as desirable that children of school age, which means under 15 years, should be allowed to travel at half fare? Their parents have lost that year's earning power—we think rightly—and it would be a concession which would be negligible financially but of considerable benefit to the parents themselves.

I understand that all the bus companies owned by the British Transport Commission have special season tickets for pupils. Actually this question of fare concessions is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and I will draw his attention to the hon. Member's Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that the present system of segregating children into different schools at the age of 11 is in the best interests of education; and if he will consider a change in this system.

I am satisfied that the present system of allocating pupils at about 12 years of age to the particular secondary courses from which each seems likely to derive most benefit is sound in principle. The question whether the various secondary courses should be provided all in one school or in different schools should, I consider, continue to be decided by each education authority in the light of the particular local circumstances.

I have a later Question upon the second point to which the right hon. Gentleman referred. Has he had regard to the 1948 Report of the Advisory Council on Education in Scotland, of which, I think, one of the Joint Under-Secretaries was a signatory, which expresses the opposite view from that which the right hon. Gentleman has now expressed? Will he examine the matter again, as many authorities are of the opinion that the best interests of education, on either educational or social grounds, are not being served by the segregation of children at 11?

As I said in this House a year ago less one day, I think that the right course is to allow the local authorities, who best know their needs, to have some say in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the resentment of many parents about the present method of promotion test selection of children proceeding from primary to secondary schools; and what right of appeal under his regulations parents have against such decisions.

I am not aware of any widespread resentment about the promotion procedure, although some parents are naturally disappointed because their children are not considered capable of taking the secondary course they desire. A parent who is dissatisfied with a decision of an education authority that his child does not show reasonable promise of profiting from a particular course has a right to appeal to the Secretary of State.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what steps he is taking to inform parents of their rights? Might I put it to him that the resentment is widespread, and having earned the widespread resentment of the parents in this matter and the widespread resentment of the teachers about superannuation, cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to rouse the ire of the children and thus finish the job?

I hope not, Sir. The views of the teachers are, of course, taken into account, and so are the wishes of parents. I think the parents do know their rights because their wishes are often expressed and they are always considered. In all borderline cases or cases of doubt, the wishes of parents prevail.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many education authorities have consulted him about a modification of the present promotion test selection of children proceeding from primary to secondary schools; and with what result.

Six education authorities have proposed modifications in the promotion procedure. In two oases I have approved major modifications covering all schools in the area; in one case a major modification is being applied to a few selected schools on an experimental basis; and in three cases minor modifications have been approved.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any proposal from the Glasgow Education Authority through Glasgow Corporation? If he has not, when he does receive it, will he give it very sympathetic consideration?

In 1954 it was agreed that Glasgow might conduct a limited experiment covering four comprehensive secondary schools and the primary schools which feed them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman make information available to the House about many of the experiments which are being conducted, such as in Edinburgh, where, we understand, some very successful experiments in the promotion system and the school system generally are being conducted? It would be interesting if hon. Members could at some time in the coming year have a report on the subject.

I will certainly consider that suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consult with local education authorities concerning their awards for university education with a view to ensuring a more even distribution of students among the Scottish universities.

On the recommendation of the Royal Commission on University Education in Dundee, and with the approval of the universities and the education authorities, the Bursaries Regulations were amended in 1953 so as to give education authorities a wider discretion in awarding bursaries to students who desire to go to a university other than that in their home town. There has since been no suggestion from the universities that any change should be made in the regulations or in their operation with a view to influencing the distribution of students among them, and I cannot myself see what change of this kind could properly be made.

Is the Secretary of State aware that figures he himself gave me only a week or two ago show that local authorities are not taking proper advantage of that concession? Is he aware that the reorganised St. Andrew's University has in Dundee a new school of social science which is the first of its kind in Scotland? Will he do something more to bring more students to St. Andrew's University to make sure that its new facilities are used for the benefit of the nation as a whole?

I agree with that, and I could not like St. Andrew's better; it is a beautiful place and I hope that people will go to it. Education authorities have full discretion to award bursaries to be held at St. Andrew's, if they so desire.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what total number of visitors from Canada and the United States of America, respectively, visited Scotland during the years 1954 and 1955, up to the end of September.

I am informed that between January and September, 1955, 20,000 Canadian visitors and 95,000 from the U.S.A. came to Scotland. The comparable figures for the same period in 1954 were 19,600 and 81,000 respectively.

These are very important figures. Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to the proposal of the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company to withdraw sailings direct to the Clyde from Canada? Although I realise that my right hon. Friend has no direct responsibility, cannot he use his good offices to try to persuade the company not to take this action, which will be particularly harmful to the tourist industry in Scotland?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I will do all I can. I know about this matter, and in conjunction with the Scottish Tourist Board we are doing our best to bring pressure upon the company.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that tourist traffic is now probably Scotland's biggest industry, certainly at certain times of the year, and one of our best dollar earners? Is he aware that it is important that some steps should be taken to assist the Scottish Tourist Board to try to have this facility continued? Many people from overseas visit Scotland, and is not that a reason why we should do our best to enable them to travel to Scotland direct?

We shall do our best in that direction. The tourist industry, of course, is not our only dollar earner.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the reasons for the change of policy in relation to the new town of Glenrothes, Fife.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 6th December, to which I have nothing to add.

I believe that answer said that there had been no change of policy. Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the decision to stop building houses and to hold up all other development in the new town is nothing but a change of policy? Is he prepared to give a specific assurance that, after the interim period to which he has been referring in his correspondence with the county council and myself, Government financial aid will be forthcoming and the development corporation will not be wound up?

I can tell the hon. Member, quite frankly, that the position is as stated, that the building of houses has run ahead at present of the influx of miners into Glenrothes owing to certain difficulties encountered by the National Coal Board. However, it is our intention to proceed. This is merely a slowing down in the building programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the production of a filleting machine designed to remove all the bones from raw fresh herrings; and what is the result of experiments in producing packaged quick frozen herrings with bones softened by pressure cooking.

Investigations by a private manufacturer into the possibility of devising a filleting machine capable of removing all the bones from raw herring are proceeding, but it is not yet possible to say whether the problem will be solved. The Herring Industry Board intends to carry out further experiments on pressure cooking and packaging in premises at Stornoway which, it is hoped, will be ready by the start of next year's summer fishing season.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any more details about this wonderful mechanical herring de-boner? Is it a British machine? Will he also explain why, when it is anticipated that herring will be de-boned in England as well as in Scotland, I have to ask a Scottish Minister to come to England to answer my Question?

I am not quite sure about the answer to the second part of the question. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a Question on the Order Paper to some Minister, but not to me, and an attempt will be made to provide an answer. There are machines which have been tried. References have recently been made to a Danish machine and a German machine. I assure the hon. Gentleman —I expect he knows it as well as I do—that to devise a machine which will remove all the small bones from a herring is not a very easy matter.

Will not my right hon. Friend agree that experience has shown that by removing the bones from fish before cooking one removes not only most of the nourishment but practically all the flavour as well?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he is compelling Fife County Council to supply water to the Leven Town Council on terms unfavourable to the former authority.

The County of Fife (Supply to Leven Burgh) Water Order, 1955, which I made on 8th December, provides for the terms and conditions, so far as they relate to price, being fixed by agreement between the two councils, or, failing agreement, by arbitration. The question of my compelling the county council to give a supply on unfavourable terms does not therefore arise.

No one on Fife County Council will believe that. Is it not a fact that the Order compelling Fife County Council to supply water was made just about a week after the Minister had expressed the opinion that the price asked by Fife County Council was not unreasonable? In view of that, how does the Minister explain the laying of the Order at all? Is the explanation that the Leven Town Council is a stronghold of one of the Joint Under-Secretaries and that the Labour Party won control of Fife County Council last May?

No, Sir. If the hon. Member reflects, I am sure he will agree that the explanation is that it was not possible to leave Leven or other towns without water if water could be provided, and that my job was to see that it was provided, and, if agreement as to price could not be reached, I had to "provide for arbitration." There was no time for me to consider the price question, for it would have taken time to get all the details. The provision of water was the essential matter.

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

asked the Secretary of of State for Scotland what stage has been reached with regard to the development of a new town at Houston to absorb some of the overspill from Glasgow.

The Clyde Valley Planning Committee and the Corporation of Glasgow have represented to me that a new town should be established at Houston. [Interruption.] I was once in Texas and can never pronounce the name; the American Houston is pronounced differently. I have informed the committee and the corporation that I do not consider it would be practicable, having regard to the demands already imposed on the limited resources of technical staff by existing projects and to other considerations, to undertake the development of a third new town in the Clyde Valley area at the present time.

Is the Secretary of State aware that that is a most discouraging statement? Is he further aware that there are 250,000 people in Glasgow whom he recognises as urgently requiring accommodation outside the city? What steps is he taking to provide an alternative site if Houston is not practicable?

The answer is that I completely agree with the hon. Member about the importance, urgency and gravity of the situation, but, owing to the lack of water and sewerage and so on at the place to which he has referred and which I will not try to mention again, we are, as he knows, continuing with East Kilbride and endeavouring to get agreement about Cumbernauld. The other thing which might provide quicker alternative accommodation is the expansion of existing communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give the final results of the herring season for the Scottish fishing industry; and to what extent he has had reports of distress.

From 1st April to 3rd December landings of herring at Scottish ports totalled 535,728 crans to a value of £1,618,830, a fall of 1 per cent. in both weight and value compared with last year. In addition, Scottish boats fishing at East Anglia landed 61,753 crans to a value of £274,388, a reduction of about 57 per cent. by weight and 40 per cent. by value compared with last year. The East Anglian season has been a grave disappointment, but I have received no specific reports of distress.

Has the Minister not heard that Clyde fishermen are in great distress as a result of the failure of the herring fishery and the withdrawal of the white fish subsidy? Will he agree to receive a deputation from those fishermen so that they can put their case?

I must point out to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) that the Question refers to the herring fishing and not to white fish which we debated at some length yesterday, but I agree, of course, that this has been a disastrous fishing year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in preparing an administrative scheme for the work of the South of Scotland Electricity Board; and what arrangements have been made in the West and East of Scotland.

There is no provision in the Electricity Reorganisation (Scotland) Act, 1954, for the preparation of an administrative scheme by the South of Scotland Board.

Does the Secretary of State recollect that when the Act went through the House an Opposition Amendment that the Board should be left to fix its own arrangements as between the east and the west of Scotland was agreed to? Has the Board completed its arrangements in this regard, and is it possible to have some report about how the Board will organise its work in the south of Scotland?

I do not think this is the best time in answer to a Question, but I will be very glad to furnish details of what the Board has done.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what preparations he has made for staggering industry in Scotland during the winter to economise in the use of electricity, and if he is satisfied that ample resources now exist to meet the full demand in severe weather.

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour explained on 28th July in reply to the hon. Member for Clitheroe (Mr. Fort), the regional boards for industry have discretion to make any necessary load spreading arrangements this winter. I understand that the Scottish Electricity Boards have not asked the Scottish Board for Industry to make such arrangements, but that they are watching the position carefully.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the licensing laws in Scotland as they apply to Sundays so as to make such alterations as may be necessary in view of the disturbance to local inhabitants which is now taking place in many villages and small towns on Sunday evenings.

The situation is being watched with care, but, while I sympathise with the hon. Member's feelings, I have no grounds for thinking that there is any widespread demand for legislation.

Is the Secretary of State aware that there is a good deal of public concern in the towns and villages about what is happening between 9.30 and 11 o'clock on Sunday nights? Would it be possible for him to get a report from chief constables in Scotland about what is actually happening? In order to ensure that there is no misunderstanding about this question, is he aware that it is not my wish to stop anyone who so desires having a drink on a Sunday evening, but that I feel that if they want to get drunk and disorderly it will be better if they do so in their own home towns and villages and so not upset other villages and other people using public transport?

I sympathise with the hon. Member's views and, personally, agree with them, and I shall certainly consider the point about asking for a report from the chief constables.

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that the villages concerned, of which mine is one, get a bad reputation which, as the hon. Member has said, is not at all due to them?

This is a disturbing question in some villages, and while it is not possible to get legislation, could not the trade be asked to exercise some self-discipline in the matter to see that these things do not happen?

I understand that it is not entirely due to the trade. There are bus parties who carry their own refreshments with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision is now available for patients in Lanarkshire who have tuberculosis, in regard to beds, staffing and thoracic surgery.

At 30th September there were 783 staffed beds for respiratory tuberculosis in Lanarkshire hospitals of which 656 were occupied. The staffing of these beds is at a satisfactory level. There is now no significant waiting list for Lanarkshire patients, and it is no longer necessary to send any to hospitals outside the county. Five operating sessions for thoracic surgery are provided weekly at Hairmyres Hospital, and this is proving adequate to meet the current need.

While that reply is very satisfactory, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is quite certain that these arrangements will be adequate following mass radiography?

My advice, based, of course, on the best medical advice, is that our arrangements are adequate at the present time, but we will, of course, watch very carefully.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1), if he is aware that persons buying slum houses are entitled to be rehoused when the slum in which they are living is demolished, and that houses are being bought with this end in view; and if he will introduce legislation to stop the sale of all houses likely to be classified for demolition forthwith;

I have no reason to believe that this practice is widespread or that local authorities cannot deal with it through their rules for the letting of new houses. But if the hon. Member has information about particular cases, I shall be interested to see it. As I informed the hon. Member for Bothwell (Mr. Timmons) on 8th November, the Government are not prepared, for reasons which have been fully explained, to control the sale or the selling price of houses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is widespread and that this is not merely a matter of paying key money for the sole purpose of getting slum property and slum housing and that these tenants are assured of a council house? Will he say what reply I am to give to a constituent who writes and tells me that the house he has bought under those conditions, for which he has paid £150, is not to be demolished after all? What compensation is he to get?

In reply to the second part of the question, I think that if the local authority advised him that it was to be demolished, he had better take up the matter with the local authority. I assure the hon. Lady that all that a purchaser has to do is to consult the local authority. Local authorities are perfectly prepared to give the widest possible information on properties which are to be knocked down.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what grounds he granted approval for new rules for the Northern Housing Association, Dundee.

I gave my approval because the new rules accord with those of other housing associations and there were no grounds on which I would have been justified in withholding approval.

Is the Secretary of State aware that when this association tried to raise its rents under its old rules and sought his permission for so doing, I asked him to intervene and the right hon. Gentleman said that he could not intervene as it was purely a matter between the tenants and the courts? How then does he square that with his action now in giving his approval to rules which will allow the association to do what it likes with its rents? If the right hon. Gentleman cannot step in to protect the tenants, could not he stand outside the arena and let the tenants solve this matter themselves with the housing association?

I have only done what has been done in the case of local authorities increased rents and all other housing association increased rents. I am merely dealing with this on the same basis as the others. If I did not do so, it would require fresh legislation.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of chargeable offences for each year since 1939 where weapons have been used or serious cases of violence have taken place.

As the answer involves a number of figures, I shall, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the numbers of persons proceeded against on indictment in Scotland for crimes of violence against the person during each year from 1939 to 1954.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the meeting of Highland local authorities promised by a Joint Under-Secretary of State during his snowstorm visits in January has not been held; if he is satisfied that these authorities are better equipped to deal with an emergency than they were last winter; and if he will make a statement.

After the snowstorms in January and February of this year meetings were held by my Department to review operational arrangements, and by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to consider snow clearance generally. Guidance has been issued in a Scottish Home Department circular dated 15th November, and my right hon. Friend is replying today to a Question about the provision of snow clearing equipment which my hon. Friend has on the Order Paper.

Is not it a fact that the kind of meetings to which the Secretary of State is referring are quite dissimilar to those promised to Caithness County Council and other local authorities who did a very good job of work? Is it not also the fact that there were many lessons to be learned from these snowstorms which could have been put to use now? Is it not the fact that we in the northern counties start this winter worse equipped with snow clearing equipment than last time?

My right hon. Friend will answer a Question on the last point if it is reached, but on 28th March the chief constables, with the offices of the Scottish Home Department and the Department of Agriculture, met to discuss operational arrangements. On 14th April, the divisional road engineers and representatives of the British Road Federation, the A.A. and the R.A.C. met. I can assure my hon. Friend that we have done much to meet his point.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Caithness County Council incurred costs of £37,000 in dealing with last winter's snowstorms; and what arrangements he has made to relieve the council of this burden which they are unable to bear.

Of the sum of £37,000 referred to, more than £33,500 will be defrayed by the Exchequer from the Road Fund and Exchequer equalisation grants, and I do not consider that any further assistance could be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the cause of the recent hunger strike in Peterhead Prison, the number of men involved and the results; the cause of the revolt at the quarries and what punishment was inflicted on the prisoners; and if he is prepared to order a public inquiry into the various complaints and revolts in this prison, and appoint a more understanding and suitable governor and head warder.

On 18th November one prisoner assaulted an officer in the quarry. The matter was remitted to the visiting committee, and I am awaiting their report. On 21st and 22nd November, different groups of prisoners refused one or more meals during a period of 28 hours. The maximum number who refused any one meal was 62 out of 223 men at this prison. Members of the visiting committee who investigated the matter found no special ground for complaint, but recommended that an attempt be made to make the diet rather more varied. I see no reason for a public inquiry, and I have every confidence in the governor and officers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the number of complaints which have come to me regarding this prison and that a constituent of mine raised the question of the type and quantity of food previous to the hunger strike and was immediately put in solitary confinement? Does not he think that the visiting committee investigation is rather out of date? Surely, in the interests of discipline in prisons, prison officers should not have a closed mind on this matter, as would appear to be evidenced by the governor and head warder of the prison? Could not the right hon. Gentleman do something to see that prisoners are allowed to voice their legitimate grievances, and is not a more intimate method of investigation necessary?

I think the visiting committee procedure a very fair arrangement. The committee has access to all parts of the prison and all persons and can hear complaints. While perhaps the food in prison may not be what everyone would prefer, that also has been considered, and the governor and head warder are men of long experience.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Scotland Act, 1951, has now been fully implemented.

River purification boards have been established for eight out of the ten areas recommended by the Broun Lindsay Committee covering all the rivers south of the Caledonian Canal with the exception of the Tay group and the North and South Esk. The provisions of the Act have also been applied to the counties of Caithness, Orkney, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Zetland.

Is the Secretary of State aware that this has been a very slow process indeed? Can he do something to expedite the formation of the two remaining river boards, particularly in view of the fact that one of them governs the Forth where, while we are waiting, valuable fishings in Scotland are being slowly destroyed?

We certainly desire to get on with this as soon as we can, but it takes a little time to organise these bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what request he has received from the burgh of Maybole for financial assistance in respect of the burgh's new sewage purification works; and what was the nature of his reply.

Five requests for grant under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act, 1944, have been made since the scheme was first submitted to me in April, 1951. On each occasion grant had to be refused as the burgh cannot be regarded as a rural locality in the sense of the Acts.

Is the Minister aware that he is putting difficulties in the way of a small but enterprising town council dealing with the purification of its sewage? Does not he think that to prevent a town council from having a decent sewerage system is rather a retrograde step in these days?

I do not wish to prevent it from having a decent sewerage system. But I cannot agree that under the Acts a burgh with a population of nearly 5,000 can be regarded as a rural area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what request he has received from the burgh of Cumnock and Holmhead for a local authority improvement grant in respect of the improvement of pre-fabricated houses by the local authority; and what was the nature of his reply.

The town council applied for grant under Part VII of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1950, in respect of the improvement of 40 Uni-Seco temporary houses, of which they had become owners. They were informed that improvement grant was not payable on houses which has been built, acquired, converted, or improved with Exchequer assistance.

Is the Minister aware that again he is penalising an enterprising town council, and that in the same area private owners are getting a grant of £440 for reconditioning similar houses? Why should an enterprising town council be penalised in this way?

I do not think that the hon. Gentleman is correct in saying that they are reconditioning similar houses. The whole object of the Act is to enable the reconditioning of old out-of-date houses to bring them up to the standard of modern requirements, but these are modern Uni-Seco houses.

asked the Minister of Works if he will make a detailed and comprehensive statement of the progress and present facilities for the application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

It would not be possible within the compass of a Parliamentary reply to deal adequately with the hon. and learned Member's Question. I would refer him to the Report of the Atomic Energy Authority. Further information was given at the Geneva Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy. Sixteen Volumes of the proceedings will be published.

It is beyond the wit of the Minister to issue a White Paper which will indicate in a brief way what progress is being made in this phase of science which is fraught with great possibilities for human happiness?

I would advise the hon. and learned Member to read the Authority's Report, which does exactly that.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if the fishery research ship "Sir William Hardy" is yet ready for sea; and when she will commence the research work for which she was built.

I have been asked to reply. The "Sir William Hardy" went to sea on 21st November to commence her programme of research.

Is the hon. Member aware that there are great marine problems awaiting her attention at sea? Will he state what progress she is making for the advantage of the fishing industry?

As I stated, this ship went to sea on 21st November, and has since then been carrying out a programme of research.

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the Minister of Education at Leamington on Saturday, 10th December, regarding the teaching profession, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I have been asked to reply.

Is the Chancellor aware that since then the Minister's speech has been made available to us? Is he further aware that it is now quite clear that the indiscretions of the Minister of Education were not a slip of the tongue but were quite deliberate? Will he now give some assurance that it is not the intention of the Government to push teachers around in the manner in which the Minister tried to do?

I am aware that the Minister's speech has been made available. For example, it is in the latest issue of Education, of Friday, 16th December. I am also aware that it is certainly not the Government's desire or wish to push teachers around in the terms employed by the hon. Member. It is their wish to enhance the status of education and the teaching profession, as outlined in the Minister's speech.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a National Service man, due for release on 17th November, left camp at Salisbury on the evening of the 16th to sleep at Tunbridge Wells, which he subsequently left at 6.30 a.m. on the 17th for the Pioneer Camp at Wrexham, which he reached at 2 p.m., in order to have his card stamped; that the man left Wrexham at 3 p.m. without being offered a meal and arrived home at 1.30 a.m. having had to walk from Tunbridge Wells in full kit; why the stamping of the card was not done by post in order to save expense to his Department and time and irritation to the man; and what is the yearly cost of such journeys.

This soldier was serving in the Royal Army Service Corps near Salisbury. He was due to perform his part-time service in a Royal Pioneer Corps unit of the Army Emergency Reserve and, as is usual in the case of such transfers, was given pay and ration allowance to cover meals and instructed to report to the Royal Pioneer Corps Depot, Wrexham. Instead of going straight to Wrexham, Private Garrett broke his journey by going to his home in Sussex. I have written to my hon. Friend giving fuller details.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give instructions for 22803100 Boy T. M. Groves, 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, aged 16½ years, now serving in an active service area in Cyprus to be removed from that country, in view of the distress caused to the boy's parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. M. Groves, 29, Lela Avenue, Hounslow, West, and in view of the letter written by Mr. Groves to the War Office on 29th November, to which the War Office replied on 8th December.

No, Sir. Boy Groves is a band-boy and eligible to serve in Cyprus.

Will the Minister bear in mind that this is causing the mother illness and distress? This boy is only 16½ years of age. Surely we do not need to send boys of that age to Cyprus. I ask the Minister to reconsider this matter. I think it is scandalous to send such young boys to serve in Cyprus.

I would ask the House to consider this point: band-boys are available for service world-wide. In Cyprus, their duties are restricted to being band-boys in the band, and they do not carry out operational duties. In Cyprus itself there are large numbers of children and officers' married families. Quite frankly, these boys doing their duties with the band are not subjected to the risks which the hon. Member has suggested.

In view of the fact that the whole of Cyprus is a danger area and that persons such as the one mentioned by my hon. Friend are juveniles, has the Minister sought the consent of parents before exposing these children—for such they be—to this unnecessary danger? Is not he aware that no one would have expected them to be on operational duties? He need not take any pride in the fact that he is exposing them to this danger.

So far as I know, no representations from other parents of these boys have been made to me. I would like the House to keep a sense of proportion in this matter, and also to remember that there have been boys, like Boy Cornwall, who have served very finely in the past.

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

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement concerning the death of a National Service man who was recently found hanging from a tree near Merebrook Camp, Malvern.

An inquest was held on this soldier and I have nothing to add to the coroner's verdict that the deceased took his own life while the balance of his mind was disturbed.

Did the Minister note the statement made at the court, that life in that first fortnight in the Army appeared to be extremely rough? Whether or not this contributed to the matter, will the Minister investigate further to see whether that is so in this camp?

I have been carefully into this sad case. This boy had been sent to a psychiatrist. There had been signs of this before. We do get exceptional cases of this kind. If the hon. Member would like to discuss the question with me, I can give him the full details of what I have discovered.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make it possible for dogs, the property of British troops soon returning home from Egypt under the agreement to give up the Canal Zone, to be conveyed in troopships with their owners.

No, Sir.

Will the Secretary of State further consider this matter, in view of the fact that it will mean abandoning or destroying these pets? Will he also bear in mind that like facilities are being granted to the personnel of the American forces from nearby Libya?

I am very fond of dogs myself, but I can assure my hon. Friend that very large numbers of dogs are accumulated by the troops, and I really think that to bring all these dogs back from the Middle East would be a very big commitment.