asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) in respect of applications for loan sanction for private street works from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, what local inquiries have been made by inspectors of his Department about the dangers to health and safety arising from the present state of these streets ; and with what results ;

(2) the total value of loans for which Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council have asked for sanction in respect of private street works since the beginning of the year ; and what amount and proportion he has approved.

Since the beginning of this year, the borough council has applied for loan sanctions totalling £7,120 for private street works. All were initially rejected, but renewed applications in respect of three roads, said to be in particularly bad condition, are now under consideration, and in this connection a visit will shortly be made by one of my right hon. Friend's engineering inspectors.

Is the hon. Member aware that my constituents are absolutely fed up with this situation and that in Newcastle-under-Lyme we have a terrible Tory legacy of privately-owned and neglected streets which require to be made up and brought under public control? Will he, therefore, pay particular attention to this situation because, irrespective of party politics, my constituents are unanimously agreed that these streets are an urgent priority?

Local authorities are entitled and are indeed invited to bring to my right hon. Friend's attention particular cases of streets the need for the making up of which is urgent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further consultations he has had since 30th July with representatives of local authority associations on the subject of restrictions on capital expenditure ; and what action he is taking in response to their representations.

At a meeting with representatives of the local authority associations in July, I explained the necessity for the continuance of these restrictions for the present. Since then I have received no further approaches from them on this subject.

Is the Minister aware that members of local authorities all over the country feel that works which are urgent and necessary in the national interest are being frustrated by this financial policy ; that, irrespective of party control of local councils, a majority in important local authority associations is opposed to his policy? Will he, therefore, initiate discussions with representatives of those councils who feel that a more discriminating concern about their interests is necessary?

Local authorities are responsible for nearly one-quarter of the capital expenditure of the country. Most authorities recognise that they must make their contribution to winning the battle against inflation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not yet able to put a time limit on these restrictions, which were said to be temporary and of which many are petty and irritating to local authorities?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made in protecting the people against the harmful effects of smog this winter ; what Government Departments are co-operating in this work ; and in what way the public, local authorities, radio and television services and industry are being asked to cooperate with a view to the maximum effort being made to avoid a repetition of the heavy toll of deaths and sickness of recent years from this form of visitation.

Since the reply is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

If we get weather conditions similar to those of the winter of 1951–52, is there any likelihood of the results being less tragic than they then were, because of the progress made since then?

I should be a very rash man if I were to forecast the effects of future weather conditions. I will say only that there has been an intensive effort to bring this policy into effect, but the implementation of the policy behind the Clean Air Act, which we passed early this Session, is obviously a matter which will take a number of years, although we are getting on with it.

Will the Minister, as soon as possible, make a statement about the possibility of minimising the effects of smog on health in homes by the use of ammonia? There have been experiments. The method is simple and could be of very great advantage during the coming winter, if we get smog.

Naturally we have all these points in mind, and I should be glad if the hon. Member will study the detailed reply which I am circulating in HANSARD.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further consideration has been given to the ending of industrial derating ; and what action has been decided upon to remedy this situation.

This problem is being examined, as part of the comprehensive review of local government finance which is being undertaken.

Can the Minister be a little more specific and say whether there is any likelihood of the present unsatisfactory conditions continuing for a very long period?

I do not think that it would be a good thing for us to announce piecemeal our conclusions upon various parts of this very comprehensive review.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that during heavy rain in recent weeks the Wealdstone Brook has overflowed to such an extent that the foundations of houses in Brook Drive, Wembley, have been flooded ; and if he will now grant loan sanction for the necessary improvements to be carried out.

My right hon. Friend is aware of continued complaints about the flooding of the brook. The Middlesex County Council, which is discussing its improvement scheme with the Wembley Council, has not yet applied for loan sanction.

Does my hon. Friend not agree that one of the reasons the council has not yet applied for loan sanction is that it has not thought that it would get it if it did? Will he give some encouragement to the authority to make an application?

The initiative lies with the county council, and clearly an application cannot be judged until the scheme has been seen.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he proposes to approve the County Development Plan of Essex, with or without modification.

My right hon. Friend cannot yet give a date when the Essex Development Plan will be approved. A number of important matters are still under consideration, and when these are settled the preparation of the necessary maps will take several months to complete.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the redevelopment of the old town of Harwich is being held up because, under the 1947 Act, the Minister cannot authorise approval for a compulsory purchase order in advance of the approval of the county plan as a whole, with or without modifications? Will he assure us that he will therefore take all steps to see that the development of what is known as No. 1 Area, Harwich, is not held up by the Government on account of any red tape?

There is no reason why the borough council's plans for redevelopment should be held up by the fact that the development plan as a whole has not been approved. The council has been advised that it can submit the necessary compulsory purchase order.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that many other counties besides Essex are experiencing similar difficulties?

I have just explained that the particular difficulty which my hon. Friend raised does not in fact exist—and that will probably be found to be so in the other cases.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the length and diameter of the tunnel under Christchurch Meadow, Oxford, which is estimated to cost £7 million to build and £100,000 a year to maintain ; and how this compares with the cost of other similar tunnels.

The estimate was for an underground by-pass which, including approaches, would be about one mile in length. It was assumed that the carriageways would, in part, have to be accommodated in separate tubes. The estimate is comparable with the cost of tunnel works elsewhere.

Has the Minister considered the example of the United States whereby part at least of the cost of such tunnels is defrayed by a charge on those using them?

I have been asked about the cost of the tunnel, not how to pay for it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will sanction the payment by local authorities of the expenses of members attending committee meetings of the Festival of Wales Committee.

Yes, on applications being made by the local authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent local authorities have reduced their house-building programme this year owing to the reduction of the housing subsidies.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave last Tuesday to the hon. Member for Anglesey (Mr. C. Hughes).

As I have not had the opportunity of seeing that reply, can the Minister give some indication about the way in which the ordinary house-building programme has decreased owing to the necessity for local authorities to concentrate on slum clearance houses? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that that means that people living in houses which are not designated slums have little chance of getting a council house from now onwards?

It is the Government's deliberate policy to encourage greater emphasis on slum clearance, and that is taking place. Of course, if within any programme more effort is given to one part of the programme, less effort is given to some other part.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that Manchester's potential house-building programme is now having to be reduced because building sites outside the city are not available to the extent necessary; if he has completed his consideration of Manchester's housing problem ; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the Manchester Corporation has been obliged to reduce its house-building programme for 1956 to an estimated 1,350; that this reduction has been imposed upon it by shortage of suitable sites; and whether he will now say what sites he proposes to allow the corporation to develop to meet its urgent housing needs.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has come to any decision on the question of the provision of suitable areas for development designed to deal with Manchester's overspill problem.

I am, of course, well aware of this problem. A few days ago I received a letter from Manchester Corporation stressing its need for one or more large sites for comprehensive development outside the city, and asking for my advice. I hope to be able to make a statement shortly.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that those of us who represent Manchester constituencies appreciate the very fair and thorough way in which he has gone into this difficult problem? At the same time, we are gravely disturbed at the way in which Manchester's housing programme is being slowed down through a lack of suitable sites?

What my hon. Friend gave with one hand he took away with the other.

Is the Minister aware that slum clearance, about which he professes to be so concerned, is in fact being held up at this moment in the City of Manchester and in other great areas because of the inordinate time he is taking to consider this matter? Is he further aware that, despite what the hon. Member for Blackley (Mr. E. Johnson) says, there is mounting exasperation in the City of Manchester about the delays and dilatoriness that he has shown in the past?

It is no use talking about "the delays and dilatoriness" which I have shown in this matter. It is a matter which involves agreement being reached between a number of local authorities—the exporting authorities and the receiving authorities, including both county councils and the local district councils concerned. I think everybody will agree that agreement is desirable. It is a very complicated business, and it has involved many discussions. I did not think it was right to rush matters.

I have been to Manchester and the various areas all around. I have had two or three meetings with Manchester and county councils and local authorities separately and together, and I have really explored this matter very fully. I think those efforts were necessary, for nobody has suggested that it is not desirable to try to arrive at agreement. We have now reached the point where I think it is right for the Government to state their view on the whole problem.

In settling this difficult problem, can my right hon. Friend assure the House that he will follow the principles and policy laid down not only by his predecessor but by Her Majesty's Government, that not one acre of good agricultural land will be destroyed where other land of less agricultural value is available? Will he also follow the Cheshire County Development Plan, which goes a long way towards housing Manchester's overspill? Above all, will he see that Manchester develops its own sites properly first?

I will study my hon. and gallant Friend's statement in HANSARD. Meanwhile, I do not propose to lay down any broad principles in reply to a supplementary question.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman himself responsible for starting new towns? Is it not about time that he exercised that responsibility in order to relieve Manchester and other huge towns which have similar problems?

This particular controversy has not been over the question of a new town but over the provision of some large site outside Manchester upon which comprehensive building could take place.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that while he takes time to come to a decision Manchester's housing programme is necessarily held up? Will he bear this fact continuously in mind with a view to coming to an early decision upon the matter?

That is just what I have said.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that local authorities in the London area have either closed or propose to close their housing lists ; and what action he proposes to take in view of the distress caused thereby to many applicants for rehousing.

Local authorities must be allowed to decide for themselves how best to handle applications for houses in their areas.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that as a deliberate result of Government policy about 165,000 applicants on the L. C. C. housing lists, for example, have no prospect whatever of being rehoused at all, and that slum clearance will help only a very small proportion of them? Has the Minister any conscience at all in the matter?

I do not know what action the hon. and gallant Member has in mind but if, as I suspect, he is referring to the financial aspects of housing, such as subsidies, interest rates and so forth, all I can say is that, in so far as London authorities are reducing their house-building programmes, it is due primarily not to financial reasons but to lack of land on which to build.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that where the walls of a house have been exposed through the demolition of the house next door by a local authority, deterioration is often caused by exposure to the weather ; and if he will introduce legislation to provide for compensation to the tenant or make it an obligation that the party walls so exposed shall be made weatherproof by those who demolish the neighbouring house.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has no reason to doubt that local authorities are already fulfilling their reasonable obligations in this matter.

Is the Minister aware that the local authority is not under an obligation to put the wall right, that the house is deteriorating, that in a very short time the person living in it will have to be turned out, and that the council will have to find alternative accommodation for the tenant? Will the Minister give power to local authorities to deal with these matters and reimburse them for any money spent in this connection?

Although the hon. Member says that the local authority has no obligation to make good, it has the power to do so, and most local authorities engaged on slum clearance do carry out the necessary work of protection.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will circularise local authorities with a view to the removal of unnecessary restrictions imposed on council tenants.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not consider that a general circular on this subject is called for.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that far too many local authorities impose fussy, niggling restrictions upon council tenants, such as in respect of domestic pets, television aerials and a lot of other things? Has not the time come for the Government to encourage a little more of the freedom about which they talk so much?

It would be wrong to issue a general circular to local authorities, a large number of which are administering their housing estates perfectly reasonably. Public opinion makes itself very swiftly and effectively felt where there is any unreasonable action.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what arrangements are contemplated for the rehousing of workers who are obliged to take jobs which are beyond daily travelling distance of their present homes.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Islington, South-West (Mr. A. Evans) on 12th June, 1956.

Is it not a fact that the Government have said that they accept responsibility for the changes which will take place in industry, and how is it possible for local authorities to know precisely what mechanisation will mean in the way of people coming into their areas unless they have a Government lead on the matter? Will the hon. Gentleman cooperate with the Minister of Labour in trying to deal with the problem?

The principal consideration in the rehousing of those who have to move must be the building of houses, which is still going ahead at a rate never reached by the previous Administration.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what has been the result of his circular to local authorities about the allocation of council houses to Regular ex-Service men.

In a circular issued in March, 1955, I recommended local authorities to relax residential qualifications for Regular ex-Service men who apply for council houses. About 1,330 housing authorities have informed me that they have adopted this policy. In addition, about a hundred authorities have agreed, subject to certain qualifications. Only thirty have sent me wholly negative answers. I am glad to say that my Department is now receiving very few complaints on this subject.

A very satisfactory Answer. Would my right hon. Friend consider some other method of bringing pressure to bear on those thirty recalcitrant authorities whose sympathy, apparently, for those people who fight for their country does not appear to be as acute as that of other authorities?

I have that in mind.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he sanctioned the use of four acres of land at Platt Fields, Manchester, for the building of regional offices for the British Broadcasting Corporation when this land was regarded as suitable for housing development by the Manchester Corporation, whose building programme is hampered by the shortage of suitable land within the city's boundaries.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he sanctioned for use by the British Broadcasting Corporation as offices four acres of land opposite Platt Fields, Manchester, in view of the need for housing development in the city and that this land was well suited for that purpose.

My right hon. Friend gave full consideration to the Manchester Corporation's view that this land ought to be used for private enterprise housing. But it had been in the market for several years without attracting a purchaser ; and, in face of the B. B. C.'s urgent need and in the absence of any alternative site immediately available, he did not feel justified in rejecting the B. B. C. 's application.

In view of the fact that the B. B. C. 's supposed urgent need is extremely questionable to anyone who thinks about, and looks at, the empty sites in the centre of Manchester, will the Minister look at this matter again, because the temporary absence of a purchaser for this ideal building land for housing should not be allowed to result in its permanent devotion to office space for which there is plenty of room elsewhere in the city? Will the Minister look at the matter again, having regard to his own constant lament about the shortage of suitable land for housing development in the centre of towns such as Manchester?

This is not, in fact, entirely a residential area, and by moving to this site the B. B. C. will be enabled to vacate eleven other sites at present used by it in Manchester.

Is the Minister aware that this site is opposite one of Manchester's biggest public parks and is in an overwhelmingly residential area? How can the Minister justify his constant urging of local authorities, such as Manchester, to use their existing sites before they come to him with their overspill problems, when he allows this sort of thing?

This is not a site which the Manchester Corporation had any intention of using.

asked the Minister of Labour when the Piercy Committee on Disabled Persons will present its Report.

The Report has been received and is to be published on 1st November. The Government are grateful for this comprehensive Report, and will consider its recommendations in consultation with the standing advisory bodies concerned. I and my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Health would like to thank Lord Piercy and the members of his Committee for their careful study of the complex questions involved.

While endorsing the compliments paid by the Minister to the members of the Committee, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will arrange with the Leader of the House for us to have a comprehensive debate, not only on the Piercy Committee's Report, but on the whole background of disabled persons and their welfare? Does the right hon. Gentleman envisage any new legislation or Statutory Instruments in regard to the Report?

The first part of the supplementary question is, of course, a matter for the Leader of the House, but I will bring to his attention what the hon. Gentleman has said. As to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, it is too early yet to know whether legislation in any form will or will not be required until consultations have been carried out with the different advisory bodies concerned.

Can I ask my right hon. Friend for an assurance that this Report will not go the way of the Phillips Report?

Answer.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the National Dock Labour Board at Liverpool has dismissed handicapped persons without due cause ; if he will ascertain to what extent this will bring it below its quota under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944 ; and if he will take the appropriate action.

Three cases of the discharge of registered disabled persons by the Dock Labour Board in Liverpool have been brought to my attention. The percentage of disabled persons in the total of daily workers and staff on the Board's books was about 2·7 per cent. as compared with 3 per cent. prescribed under the Act, and my officers have taken up the matter with the Board.

Is the Minister aware of the very grave disquiet caused by this very bad example of a great corporation with regard to disabled persons? Is the hon. Gentleman further aware that I have a list in my hand of cases of dismissals of a most arbitrary character, and will he take steps to consult the Dock Labour Board about the possibility of alternative employment for persons who have been so dismissed? Some of the cases are quite amazing. Will the Minister consult the Dock Labour Board with a view to seeing that, in future, a mere medical certificate is not sufficient to describe a man as unemployable? Regard ought to be had to whether such a man is a danger to himself or a potential danger to his workmates before such drastic action is taken.

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that my right hon. Friend's officers will keep in the closest touch with the Board to ensure that it employs its full proportion of disabled people.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the closing of the colliery at Thorne has created a special problem of unemployment for the partially-disabled and the older miners ; and whether he will take special steps to find further employment for these men.

Yes, Sir. My local officers will give these men all possible help in finding other employment.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that the figures for mid-September give 1,825 men as being wholly unemployed and 3,000 as temporarily stopped in Coventry ; that the number of vacancies for men was 700 ; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this situation ;

(2) whether he is aware that the figures for mid-September give 794 women as being wholly unemployed and 58 as temporarily stopped in Coventry ; that the number of vacancies for women was 170 ; that, while 500 women are looking for jobs for the first time, it does mean that if all these vacancies were filled 682 women would still want work ; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this situation.

Figures for mid-October show that the number of men registered as wholly unemployed in Coventry has decreased by nearly 300. As regards women, the employment position is more difficult, particularly since the majority of the women are married and their mobility, therefore, is limited. In addition to the 709 vacancies for men mentioned by the hon. Member, there are another 1,300 vacancies within a radius of twelve miles of the city. My local offices will continue their efforts to place these workers in employment.

While I welcome this improvement in the position in relation to men, may I ask whether the Minister is aware that the position has got worse so far as women are concerned? Is he further aware that if we took the wholly unemployed figures for men, and if those wholly unemployed men filled all the vacancies available, we should still have 843 men in Coventry without jobs? Is he aware that if we took the corresponding figures for women, we should have 679 women without jobs? While appreciating the work that his Ministry has done in Coventry—and I pay tribute to it—may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can offer further help in the matter?

With respect, I think that the hon. Lady is assuming that because someone has a house in Coventry, or in any other town, he can work only in that town. I do not think that follows at all, and particularly is it not true of Coventry, where there are large surrounding conurbations. In this instance, as I have said, there are no fewer than 1,300 vacancies in the immediate neighbourhood of Coventry, twice as many as there are in the city itself. Of course, we shall do everything we can, and I am glad to endorse the tribute which the hon. Lady has paid. I do not pretend that it is not a difficult problem, particularly for married women.

May I tell the right hon. Gentleman—because not all of his hon. Friends seem to understand—that I have talked to the unemployed men and women and it is not easy to pay fares to go to these jobs? There are real difficulties, and would he pay attention to that?

I did not say that there were not difficulties, but it would be an impossible freezing of the labour force of this country if the premises in the question of the hon. Lady were accepted.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that some of those unemployed in Coventry are unable to accept jobs elsewhere because the wage offered is insufficient to meet the cost of obligations and a home in Coventry while living elsewhere ; and if, therefore, he would be prepared to offer lodging allowances or some similar grant in such cases.

No, Sir. The unemployment situation in Coventry and neighbouring areas is not such as to justify financial assistance from the Government of this kind.

Is the Minister aware that there are men in Coventry who definitely cannot afford, without help, to take a job in another town and keep their own home going in Coventry while they live elsewhere? Does not he agree that it would be cheaper for the Government financially, and better morally, to help these men to find jobs?

The facilities available were detailed in an Answer of mine, I think in June, to the right hon. Member for Belper (Mr. G. Brown). Those facilities are available for areas where the employment position is considered extremely poor and there is very little prospect of employment being obtained. Coventry, where the percentage rate of unemployment is 1·3, cannot conceivably come within any such definition.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that where we have wholesale changes of the type that are now to take place in industry, it is the responsibility of the Government, not only to provide lodging allowances, but to make it possible for priorities to be given to displaced workers in the housing estates and areas into which they have to go in order to obtain employment?

That is a very much bigger question. If the hon. Gentleman would care to follow out the logic of it, it would suggest that the Government should indicate who are to be at the top of local authority housing lists and that those who come in temporarily should have precedence over those who have established their position for many years.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am not making that point at all? I am trying to make the point that the local authorities cannot possibly know how automation—or call it what we will—in industries within their area will affect the personnel who require houses, and that if the Government would accept responsibility for that, they would be acting more in line with the policy required.

If the hon. Gentleman would study the available figures, such as they are, and in particular figures which I will send him, which are the figures that we know so far of B.M.C. dismissals, he will see that in fact this problem is nothing like as large as he and other hon. Members have suggested.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider extending the powers of factory inspectors so as to enable them to invite fire prevention officers to accompany them in their visits to factories.

We are encouraging joint visits to factories by inspectors and fire prevention officers. I do not think any extension of the powers of inspectors is needed to carry out this policy.

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that where the employer does not invite the fire prevention officer to go into the factory, the factory inspector himself has not the power to insist on him going? Is he further aware that in the case of the Keighley incident, if this sort of thing had been possible it is quite probable that that tragic incident would never have happened ; and will he study again the implication of the Question?

What the hon. Gentleman requires to meet his point is not extra powers for factory inspectors, but extra powers for fire prevention officers, which is not a matter for my right hon. Friend but for the Home Secretary. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are on the point of issuing new instructions to encourage co-operation between these two sets of inspectors. I believe that with the new instructions the matter will work out and we shall get what we want by persuasion and without any more powers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the organisation of the Factory Inspectorate with regard to radiation hazards in industry.

The Factory Inspectorate includes at headquarters a physicist engaged full-time in advising the Inspectorate and industry on precautions to be taken. All factory inspectors are supplied with information on this subject. Fifteen have been to courses on radiological protection at Harwell and it is hoped a further six will be going in December. More will be going as opportunity offers. One engineering inspector is at present attending a course on the design of nuclear reactors. Inspectors, including medical inspectors as appropriate, make special visits to factories where there are known to be radiation hazards. The Inspectorate is informed by the Atomic Energy Authority of all firms to which radioisotopes are delivered.

I thank my hon. Friend for that excellent reply. Will he pay particular attention to the training of engineer inspectors in this respect?

Yes, Sir, I will keep that point in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on his present policy regarding the machinery of wage negotiations.

The Government continue to support the policy of leaving wages to be settled by joint negotiation between employers and workers.

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed that it is now becoming more common for organisations of employers to give a blanket refusal to wage applications before they have even been heard? Is he aware that his function does not permit him to intervene until the full machinery in any industry has been used ; that this may mean that he would be quite powerless to intervene should a really big dispute take place in industry, and the ultimate result might be to weaken the whole machinery of negotiations on Which we pride ourselves?

I should think it is implicit that organisations of employers and workpeople can issue what statements they like about wages. The function of the Government, as I see it, is to do what they can to make certain that such decisions as are taken are taken in full knowledge of the economic climate of the country. It is to that end that the decisions of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and others have been directed.

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed the statement issued by the British Employers' Confederation that from now on no wage application which result in increased costs will be considered? Does he not agree that it is calculated to weaken the machinery of negotiation, as trade unions must feel that it is ridiculous to go to negotiate upon an application which has already been refused? Does he not think that that sort of conduct cannot fail to weaken the spirit in which we want British industry to conduct itself, and which allows the right hon. Gentleman to come in at the end of negotiations when necessary?

I note the point which the hon. Gentleman has made and I understand it perfectly well. It must follow from my Answer—and this is the accepted policy on both sides of the House—that there is no reason why I should either approve or criticise statements that the two sides of industry issue on wages, and I do neither.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were registered as unemployed at the Shotts Employment Exchange at the latest available date.

At 15th October, 1956, there were 246 unemployed persons on the registers of Shotts Employment Exchange and Youth Employment Office.

Will the Minister, who has some responsibility for finding work for these people, consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the President of the Board of Trade in an attempt to get them to reverse their policy about the building of factories in Development Areas? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) is considering building factories for rental because of the serious position in some of these areas?

I am willing to have any consultations which will be helpful in that area or in any other area. I think the hon. Lady knows that the factory about which she questioned me before the Recess has now been leased and will in due course employ about 800 workers and thus make a very important contribution to employment in the area.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons unemployed at Stranraer on 1st October, 1956.

The unemployment count is taken only on a Monday, about the middle of each month. At 15th October there were 201 persons registered as unemployed at Stranraer Employment Exchange.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that considerable anxiety exists in this port, which was of very great importance in the last war, because of the possible withdrawal of the daily steamer service between Stranraer and Larne and the ending of the direct railway communication with Glasgow and Girvan, which would doubtless lead to very considerable unemployment, in addition to that indicated by the figures which the right hon. Gentleman has already given.

It is true that the increase in unemployment over the last year is mainly in the harbour, docks and allied services. The other questions go a good deal wider than my province but I am quite ready to draw them to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.

Where there is a potential increase in unemployment, as there is in the Stranraer area, does not the right hon. Gentleman think he should call for a report from his officers?

Of course, I do call for reports from the officers, and it is on one of these that I have based my Answer to the Question.

asked the Minister of Labour on what grounds his Department refused to defer the call-up of an 18-year-old boy, of whom he has been informed, for National Service, having regard to the fact the boy's household consists of an invalid war-widowed mother, her invalid daughter of 17, an invalid son of 16, an epileptic son of 15 and three other children of school age and that another son of 21 is a Regular soldier.

This man's application for postponement was refused by a Military Service (Hardship) Committee. The Committee was fully constituted and there were no grounds for an appeal against its unanimous decision. Nevertheless, in view of the unusual circumstances of the case I am arranging for action to be suspended pending further examination.

Is the Minister aware that, while I thank him for the reply which he has now given, I had hoped that he could have given me a similar reply when I saw him at the end of July? Is he aware that if this is not a hardship it is difficult to understand what is a hardship?

Yes, Sir, but, with respect, this matter was most carefully considered by a duly constituted committee. Its decision was unanimous and I have no statutory authority to intervene, as I said to the hon. Lady at the end of July, and as she will remember. At the same time, what I am really saying now in my Answer is that although everybody carried out their duty faithfully and accurately yet—and this sometimes happens—the end result was completely unfair. That is why I have intervened as I have indicated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet completed his study of the report by the panel of experts on whether the River Forth road crossing should be by a bridge or underwater tunnel ; and if he will now make a statement on the subject.

As I stated in reply to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Perth and East Perthshire (Sir A. Gomme-Duncan) on 19th June, the Government have agreed with the Forth Road Bridge Joint Board that the crossing should take the form of a bridge, as recommended by the expert panel. As regards a further statement, I regret that I am unable at present to add to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Sir W. Anstruther-Gray) on 23rd October.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that Answer, may I ask whether he realises that this matter is of urgent importance to the whole East Coast of Scotland, both socially and from a business point of view? Can he give any indication when the work is likely to begin and how long it will take?

I could not say exactly how long it will take but the date before which it will start has already been announced and I have no reason to make any alteration in it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he is making as highway authority pending further progress with the Forth road bridge to ensure that the present ferry service does not deteriorate.

The British Transport Commission has recently improved the Queensferry passage by adding a further vessel to the fleet and I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation that it has no intention of curtailing the service before the bridge is in use.

Will my right hon. Friend be for ever vigilant to ensure that this service is kept up to the mark?

As I said, the service actually comes under the British Transport Commission, and it was a question as to whether my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation or I should reply. I am sure that my right hon. Friend will do what my hon. and gallant Friend desires, and as I use the ferry more than he does, we shall both do our best.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement regarding the provision of a piped water supply in the Belhelvie area of Aberdeenshire.

I recently agreed to Aberdeen County Council's carrying out a water supply scheme for the Belhelvie area as soon as they are ready. This is expected to be in two or three months' time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the resentment among women teachers at his decision to continue unequal pay for women non-graduates while implementing equal pay for all other categories of the teaching profession ; and if he will reconsider this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the nature of the reply he has made to the representations of non-graduate women teachers in respect of his refusal to implement fully the principle of equal pay.

The Draft Salaries Regulations propose equal pay instalments for all women. Any appearance of inequality arises because non-graduate men teachers of general subjects trained before 1926, when graduation for men became compulsory, are paid as graduates. Graduation for women is not compulsory, and I can find no good reason for paying non-graduate women on the same scale as graduate men and women.

Will the Secretary of State not appreciate that his decision to employ the Regulations in this way is creating very serious discontent among women non-graduates, who felt in the beginning that they would achieve equal pay with men at the maximum? In view of the fact that we do not want unnecessary discontent of that nature in the teaching profession at the moment, will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter?

It has been considered very carefully. The whole question depends upon whether they are graduate or non-graduate women. I have no intention or wish to be hard upon them but I believe that the Regulations are fair. I will of course consider what the hon. Gentleman has said, but there is no reason that I am aware of to alter the Regulations.

Are non-graduate women paid the same as non-graduate men?

I prefer to have notice of that question.

Will the Secretary of State consider taking teachers' salaries completely out of the field of politics? Is he not aware that there is much resentment in this matter? I do beg of him to have this matter reconsidered.

With the hon. Lady's agreement and support, if I can obtain them, I should be glad to take many of these questions out of politics.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional payments will be available to Scottish beef producers as a result of the supplementary amount recently announced for this purpose.

Additional payments will be made to Scottish beef producers in accordance with the scale announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 25th October, which of course applies to the United Kingdom. These payments will be over and above those payable under the existing Fatstock Marketing Scheme.

Thank you.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what new arrangements have been made for the clearance of snow on main trunk roads in Scotland during the coming winter.

I have obtained five additional heavy snow ploughs which will be available—[An HON. MEMBER : "Where are you keeping them?"] I am keeping them in my cupboard, locked up—to reinforce highway authorities' equipment in areas heavily affected by snow.

Will my right hon. Friend consider fitting these ploughs with police mobile two-way radio sets so that their work can be used to the best advantage in the winter?

I must confess that I had not considered that point, but I shall be very glad to do so.

Will my right hon. Friend consider having a depôt in the north of Scotland, somewhere in the Dingwall area, so that we do not have to go down to Lanark, as we have to do just now, and have these machines arriving far too late, when the damage has already been done?

There is a great deal to be said for dispersing these machines. We give very careful consideration where they can best be placed, but it is rather difficult to know exactly where it is going to snow next.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent his Department is meeting the cost of restoring flood damage this autumn ; and what share of this money will be allocated to Berwickshire and East Lothian.

As has already been announced, the Government are meeting the full cost of the remedial work necessary on rivers in an area in Moray Nairn and an adjacent part of Inverness-shire where damage was on a disastrous scale. The damage which occurred in Berwickshire and East Lothian, and elsewhere in Scotland, was fortunately on a much smaller scale and does not in the Government's view require special treatment. In these other areas assistance for the restoration of damage to river courses will be available at the normal rates.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, although there were not many serious cases of flood damage in Berwick and East Lothian, there were some, and will he give an assurance that this area, besides other parts of Scotland, will receive his most sympathetic consideration?

Certainly, Sir. My hon. and gallant Friend will probably recollect, and agree, that in a previous very serious case in Berwickshire special consideration and assistance was given.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to make a statement on the subject of rent control in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to make a statement as to the Government proposals to change or abolish rent restrictions in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to make a statement on the future of rent control in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for alterations in the Rent Restriction Acts so far as these relate to Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has in regard to rent control in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, when introducing new legislation amending the Rent Restriction Acts, he will take steps to prevent the eviction of wives and families who have been deserted by husbands who remain nominal tenants and have a security of tenure they no longer require.

The Government have had under review the present application of rent control in Scotland and have come to the conclusion that, subject to necessary safeguards, the first steps should be taken towards the abolition of control. Account must, of course, be taken of the special conditions which prevail in Scotland, and the Government's proposals will be placed before Parliament in due course.

In his consideration, will my right hon. Friend pay special attention to the fact that overcrowding is very much higher in Scotland than it is south of the Border? Will he take that specially into consideration in the review which he carries out?

I assure my right hon. Friend, who has very great knowledge of this matter, that that is, of course, being taken into consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, when considering the matter, also take into account the deplorable state of much of the housing accommodation in Scotland? Will he give an assurance that he will not merely tack his provisions on to some Bill which may be put forward in this House by the Minister of Housing and Local Government? Will he give an assurance that we who represent Scotland will be able to deal with the matter in our own way?

I know that this is a matter of very great importance and obvious interest to Scottish Members of Parliament, but the fact is that the subject has been dealt with in the past on a United Kingdom basis. The ten Acts on the Statute Book which deal with rent control or the rents code are all United Kingdom Measures. I am not aware of any special reason for departing from past practice and having a separate Bill for Scotland.

Did we not have a separate Scottish Measure in 1954?

That related to repairs and rents. I am dealing at the moment with rent control.

As the right hon. Gentleman has been responsible for introducing the Measure relating to rents and repairs, a 40 per cent. increase in rents, the abolition of owners' rates, other rating and valuation provisions and the proposed cut in housing subsidies, all being measures which have imposed hardship on the Scottish people, and is now to be responsible for the ultimate annihilation of rent restriction, will he tell the Scottish people what they are to use in future in place of money?

The hon. Member says "in place of money". He must know very well that the truth is that the average weekly wage has been increased very considerably. Due to general costs rising, the cost of maintaining houses in good repair has risen equally. Our object is to try to ensure that houses are maintained in good condition.

From the statement of the Secretary of State, it now appears that it has been the intention all along to tag on to the English Bill the question of rent control in Scotland. Why was that information not given at the very beginning? What fight did the Secretary of State put up to get a separate Bill for Scotland?

I do not know what the hon. Member means by the information not having been given at the very beginning. I have not had the advantage of a Scottish platform in Wales, but I am now giving the information.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the promises which he and his colleagues have given to the Scottish people about Scottish Members of Parliament being allowed to look after Scottish affairs? Will he in this matter follow the example which he himself set when he had legislation dealing with rents before the House in 1954?

The fact is that we have to deal with a number of Scottish Bills in the coming Session, important Bills dealing with subsidies, overspill, and so on ; and this question has always been dealt with on a United Kingdom basis. If it is merely a matter of a couple of application Clauses, as it has been in the past, I think it would be a waste of the time of the Scottish Standing Committee and Parliament to have a separate Bill for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent replies he has received from local authorities in Ayrshire and elsewhere in Scotland about his recent circular on Government housing policy.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the circular on housing subsidies issued on 2nd August with a copy of the statement which I made to the House on 31st July. This circular did not call for a reply. I have, however, received representations against the proposed revision of housing subsidies from twelve local authorities in Ayrshire and from a number of other local authorities elsewhere in Scotland.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his reference to twelve local authorities in Ayrshire means that the overwhelming majority of the burghs there, including the Conservative ones, are objecting? Is it his intention to swallow up the increased wages to which he has just referred by increasing rents?

No, Sir. I do not quite understand what the hon. Member is driving at. I am being perfectly frank with him. Twelve local authorities in Ayrshire have objected. There have also been objections from one city, four county councils, eleven large burghs and fifty-four small burghs. However, I have always maintained that it is very difficult to get 100 per cent. agreement.

Does the Secretary of State recall that he said in the circular that in future subsidies would be available only for houses for approved needs? Is he to decide what are the approved needs of every local authority in Scotland?

The hon. Member is probably aware that very lengthy discussions have taken place on this subject. I have never suggested that local authorities were in agreement with everything that has been suggested by the Government and the Scottish Office and myself. Nevertheless, we must proceed with this. Details will, of course, come before the House.

Last night we listened to one of the Joint Under-Secretaries expressing great praise for Scottish local authorities and saying what a common-sense attitude they had to all their problems. In view of that, what weight is given to their protest about this matter? Does it in any way change the Secretary of State's mind about going ahead with the proposal?

I have said that the proposals will be laid before the House. They will be debated, and it will then be up to the hon. Member to change my mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the lack of accommodation for patients from south Ayrshire at the County Hospital at Ayr; that a site for the extension of the hospital at Heathfield is available ; that there has been delay by the Regional Board in coming to a decision in the matter ; and what steps he is taking to expedite the building of the proposed new extension.

The hon. Member will be glad to learn that the Regional Hospital Board plan to start the construction of a new out-patient department at Heathfield Hospital during the year 1957–58—has been approved, I must mean. [Laughter.] I expect that the negotiations about the amount of ground to be acquired, which have not delayed the project, will be concluded very shortly.

Can the Secretary of State say when he approved these plans?

When I approved them?

Yes—when?

Well, I must have done so. The short answer, Sir, is recently.

I beg to move, in page 1, line 15, at the end to insert :

(2) Where in cases it may be equally a contribution to the safety of children in circumstances as described in the foregoing subsection, the Secretary of State may make representations to licensing authorities under the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to embody in licenses of public bus services such conditions as to routes as may obviate the necessity of children having to cross main roads or encounter similar hazards.

My right hon. Friend the Member for East Stirlingshire (Mr. Woodburn) spoke yesterday to this Amendment. It seemed to me that he made a very good case indeed and that the Lord Advocate appeared to think that there was much in the ideas put forward by my right hon. Friend. We should like to know whether there has been any discussion among the Scottish Ministers and, if so, whether they are now ready to accept this Amendment.

I beg formally to second the Amendment.

I entirely agree with the hon. Lady the Member for Lanarkshire, North (Miss Herbison) that the question raised by the right hon. Member for East Stirlingshire (Mr. Woodburn) is one of great interest, but while we have great sympathy with the Amendment, or with the idea underlying it, we do not think that this is the appropriate way to obtain the results which, I think, the hon. Lady wishes to obtain.

As I see it, the idea behind the Amendment is to bring forcibly before the traffic commissioners the importance of taking into consideration the safety of children on the roads. Representations can always be made to the traffic commissioners when an application is made before them, and one of those who can represent is the local authority. The local authority is the most appropriate body to make the representation, because it knows the local situation better even than does the Secretary of State himself. Accordingly, we do not think it desirable that the Secretary of State should make the representations, but that they should be made, as at present laid down, by the local authorities.

There is another subsidiary and rather important objection to representations being made by the Secretary of State. As the House knows, there is a form of appeal against the decision of the traffic commissioners, and I think it would be bad practice, and against constitutional principle, that the Secretary of State should, as it were, be a party in an appeal which would be heard by his colleague, the Minister of Transport.

While sympathising therefore, with the idea behind the Amendment, we think that it would be better to leave things in their present position, knowing that the education authority can make representations in any appropriate circumstances.

I shall certainly ask leave to withdraw the Amendment ; but, in doing so, I would ask again that the right hon. and learned Gentleman and his colleagues will give a great deal of attention to this point. I ask because of my own personal experience in a case in which, by using his good offices, the traffic commissioner did get one bus in the day to go another way to pick up children. The local authority had already made representations about this and had failed. It seems to me that we cannot just leave it to the local authority. Local authorities feel very strongly in these matters, but sometimes they are not successful in their efforts.

I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Amendment but, in doing so, I ask that further consideration be given to this point.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

I am, indeed, very surprised that the Lord Advocate should have moved the Third Reading so briefly. Yesterday, we spent a very long time discussing the Bill. It is quite evident that we, on this side, attach far greater importance not only to this Bill but to all matters that appertain to Scottish education than some others would appear to do. Yesterday, while we were moving Amendment after Amendment and new Clause after new Clause, no interest whatever was shown by Government back benchers in any case that was put forward. Sometimes there was not a single Member on the Government back benches—

That is not true.