asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what precautions are taken to prevent and reduce the incidence of accidents in Government Fisheries Research vessels resulting in injury to or death of officers and members of the crews; and what therapeutic measures are available on board to deal with such cases.

In such matters these vessels comply fully with the statutory requirements and also with the recommendations of the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.

The answer to the second part of the Question is that all ships are equipped with a medical outfit to Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation requirements. All deck officers and fishing mates hold first-aid certificates of proficiency issued by an approved body.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that comparatively recently an Aberdeen man was fatally injured in one of these ships, which shows that it is important that these protective and therapeutic measures should be kept up to the highest modern standards? Will he state what is being done to effect that?

The position, as I understand it, is satisfactory, but that does not mean in the least that what the hon. and learned Member said ought not to have been said. It is very important that the highest standards should be maintained all the time. I know the occasion to which the hon. and learned Member referred.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to introduce legislation to alter the law of Scotland relating to the legitimacy of children in accordance with the minority recommendation of seven members of the Royal Commission on Marriage and Divorce so as to enact that all children should be legitimated by the subsequent marriage of their parents irrespective of the consideration whether the parents were free to marry when the child was born or conceived.

As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. and learned Member on 29th January, the Royal Commission's recommendations are being thoroughly examined at present. Its proposals about the legitimation of children are included in this review, and my right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot yet make any statement about legislation.

It is all very well to say that this is being examined, but what I want to know is what steps are being taken to remove the stigma of illegitimacy from the innocent children when it should be put on the illegitimate parents.

That is just one of the subjects which is being considered at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that the surplus potatoes of last year's crop are cleared.

As my hon. Friend is aware, the purchase of potatoes coming within the guarantee arrangements is a matter for the Potato Marketing Board. So also are the steps being taken for the disposal of any surplus. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Board has this matter closely in hand.

Will my hon. Friend suggest to the Board that it might zip it up a bit, because that makes all the difference?

I am sure it will see what my hon. Friend has said.

Can the Joint Under-Secretary look into the question of having more processing plants nearer to the areas of production, because that would deal with the problem most effectively?

Perhaps the hon. Member would like to put down a Question about that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the losses sustained by early potato growers in 1956, what plans he has to prevent a recurrence of those losses in 1957.

The marketing of potatoes is the immediate concern of the Potato Marketing Board, which, I understand, has made arrangements for improved intelligence about imports in order to facilitate the disposal of the home crop.

As this crop is of great interest to Ayrshire farmers, should it not be of interest to the Minister? Will he do a little more to co-operate and get a reasonable situation for these farmers?

I thought and hoped that the Answer I gave would be encouraging to the hon. Gentleman. The Board is trying to avoid what happened last year by the measures which it is taking and which I described.

If the circumstances warrant it, will my hon. Friend take advantage of the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Bill to deal with the dumping of French potatoes, such as happened last year?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now announce the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the herring fishing industry.

The Government are considering certain proposals by the Herring Industry Board, but my right hon. Friend is not yet ready to make a statement.

Does my hon. Friend realise that the position of the herring industry at the moment is bad and is rapidly deteriorating? Does he realise the urgent necessity of announcing whatever policy the Government have in mind well before the commencement of the summer fishing?

Yes, Sir. I am well aware of the extreme seriousness of the position.

Is the hon. Member aware of the disastrous results, very important to the East Anglian herring fishing in the last two seasons, of the attraction of the white fish trawling industry which deflects men from the herring industry? That difficulty is due to the subsidy provisions under the White Fish Authority scheme. Will he consider using a similar incentive for herring fishing to recruit and retain men in that industry?

I can say no more than I have said. We are fully aware of the seriousness of the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of local authorities in Scotland arrange for their sewage to be treated together with household and trade refuse and made into compost; what steps are being taken to extend this practice in the interests both of economy and of public health; and what encouragement is given by his department to the use of such compost as a means of restoring fertility to the soil.

Of the 230 local authorities in Scotland, two have regular arrangements for composting sewage and household and other refuse. Where appropriate, local authorities constructing new sewage purification works are advised to consider composting, and the advisory services of the agricultural colleges in Scotland give advice on the use of such composts where they are available

Will my hon. Friend give every encouragement to local authorities to install machinery of that kind in view of the immense amount of waste of public, household and trade refuse and sewage which could be used?

It is for the local authorities to decide what best suits their own circumstances. Composting plant as an alternative to sludge digestion ranks for grant provided that the cost is roughly similar.

Will the hon. Gentleman call the attention of other local authorities to the successful work in Edinburgh in this connection, where valuable fertiliser has been provided for gardens from the refuse?

I will ensure that other local authorities are advised.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that teachers are the only large body of public employees whose salary awards cannot be back-dated; and if he will consult the appropriate authorities about legislation to rectify this anomaly.

At the request of the Educational Institute, my right hon. Friend is arranging for one of his colleagues to meet representatives of the Institute in order to hear their views and he will also, of course, take account of any views that the education authorities may submit to him.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that his reply will go some way to satisfy the teaching profession? May I also ask whether he is aware that a Measure similar to the Police Fire and Probation Officers Bill is necessary to put right this anomaly?

Yes, I am aware of that Measure.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the decline in acreage of plantable land acquired by the Forestry Commission, and the consequent reduction in their reserves of such land; if he will state the reasons for this decline; and what are the difficulties.

The area of plantable land annually acquired by the Forestry Commission fluctuates from year to year and the rate of acquisition in Scotland cannot be described as declining.

Surely the Joint Under-Secretary is aware that the past three annual reports of the Forestry Commissioners make clear that the acquisition of land is declining, which, in turn, will affect the rate of planting? Will the hon. Gentleman please read the reports and become conversant with the facts?

Yes, I have done so. But the hon. Gentleman asked me about the rate of acquisition and the answer I gave is correct. For instance, the amount acquired last year was the second highest amount during the last five years. It fluctuates; sometimes it is down and sometimes it is up. It is now up.

Will my hon. Friend make sure that in its search for plantable land the Forestry Commission does not take too much land which should be kept for sheep?

Is not the Joint Under-Secretary aware that the Scottish Land Owners Federation estimates that a million acres of land is lying derelict and that it has asked the Scottish Office to take some action to see that such a potential is not left indefinitely in a nonproductive condition?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that much of this land in Scotland is still an eyesore and should be replanted? Is not the Department a little too tender about making compulsory orders where landowners are unwilling to co-operate and it would appear that there is delay in getting ahead with this planting in Scotland?

The supplementary questions appear to refer more to Question No. 8, but I will try to cut short the time by answering the last supplementary question. The Commission is not at all anxious that there should be compulsory acquisition if that can be avoided.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assistance he proposes to give to the Forestry Commission to maintain an expanding programme.

In conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and with the Commission, my right hon. Friend is considering measures by which the rate of acquisition could be accelerated.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Forestry Commission owns over a million acres in Scotland more than half of which it regards as unplantable or not to be planted? Would not it increase the Commission's reserves if same of the land were planted which at the moment the Commission states that it does not intend to plant?

I should like to look into that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the exclusion of East Greenland Farm, Castletown, Caithness, from the Hill Cattle Subsidy Scheme if he is aware that the Caithness Branch of the National Farmers' Union of Scotland has unanimously requested that the case should be reopened; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is aware of representations which have been made in this case. The claim to hill cattle subsidy for East Greenland Farm, Caithness, has been fully investigated on a number of occasions since 1948 and was again reviewed in October last year on representations by my hon. Friend. My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot accept the farm as qualifying for this subsidy. I might add that the scheme under which these payments are made falls to be renewed this year when the conditions of eligibility will be reviewed.

Is it not the fact that every farmer in Caithness realises the injustice of this case and that the National Farmers' Union of Scotland is also supporting it? Will the hon. Gentleman have a word with the Secretary of State about the desirability of appointing an advisory committee, because a system whereby the Secretary of State acts as judge and jury and sole decider in a case which is manifestly wrong is not a right system?

Ever since this scheme began the Secretary of State has had to make up his mind, after due consideration of evidence carefully prepared and recommended by experts. My right hon. Friend must do what he thinks is right.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to reduce the danger to pedestrians and traffic at the junction of A80 and A73 at Cumbernauld.

This junction is protected by duplicate halt signs on A.73 and by adequate carriageway markings, and visibility has been improved by cutting down trees and shrubs. My right hon. Friend has just authorised the erection of an advance warning sign on A.73, and his Department has offered to discuss with representatives of the county council whether there are any other steps which can be taken.

I am aware of these negotiations, which have been going on for two years. The same suggestion is being made. The Dumbartonshire County Council and the people on the spot agree that there is only one remedy to stop an increase in accidents, and that is the erection of traffic lights at this spot. We are getting a little nearer to the ultimate decision, and would the hon. Gentleman please speed it up so that we may have traffic lights before more accidents occur and more people are killed?

My right hon. Friend has offered to discuss this matter further with the county council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given, since the new Administration took office, to demands by local authorities that interest rates be reduced and housing subsidies maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he proposes to make to the recent memorandum on housing subsidies issued by the Association of County Councils in Scotland, the Convention of Royal Burghs and the Corporations of Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from local authorities and local authority associations against the reduction in housing subsidies; and what replies he has made.

There will be a full opportunity in the proceedings on the Housing and Town Development (Scotland) Bill to discuss the views expressed by local authorities on the proposed new rates of housing subsidies and the rates of interest for housing loans.

Will the hon. Gentleman demand from the Treasury that we get immediate action to lower the interest rates for Scotland, because there is strong resentment among the local authorities in Scotland that the extra burdens put on them are to satisfy the theoretical claims of a high Bank Rate, which has no connection with the general economy of the country? Will he maintain subsidies as a factor taking account of whatever interest rates are fixed for the purpose of local authority finance?

I think the House will agree that these matters would be better left to be discussed later.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that the Government's policy is making housing impossible in Scotland? Is he aware that Gourock, which is in the constituency of the Secretary of State for Scotland, has stopped building houses, and who will speak for them in the Scottish Standing Committee?

I cannot agree that the hon. Gentleman is correct when he says that Government policy is stopping house building in Scotland, as replies to later Questions will show.

In view of the fact that the Government decisions have aroused universal opposition among local authorities in Scotland, does not the hon. Gentleman think that the Government should drop the Bill altogether?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state, megawatts installed, the new electrical capacity installed in Scotland during the year 1956; what part of this capacity was at thermal stations and what part hydro-stations; and the average cost £ megawatts installed, respectively, for thermal and hydro-stations.

The capacity of new electrical plant installed in Scotland during 1956 was 255·9 megawatts. Of this, 101·5 megawatts was installed at hydro-electric stations at an average cost of £175,000 per megawatt, and 154·4 megawatts at thermal stations at an average cost of £59,830 per magawatt.

How much coal would be saved per annum by these hydroelectric installations?

I would ask my hon. Friend to put that Question down.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the sum expended, in millions of £s, by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board for new capital works completed during 1956; and what sum was authorised by him, again expressed in millions of £s, in respect of new constructional works and appurtances thereto, forming the subject of Statutory Instruments.

I am informed by the Board that £17·8 million has been expended on generating stations and related capital works which came into full operation during 1956. During the year constructional scheme No. 23C (Moriston Project (Further Amendments)) was confirmed. The cost to the Board of the works authorised by this scheme, which is at present before the House, is £267,500.

Does the fact that more than £17 million was actually expended in 1956 on new projects and that practically nothing of a new character was authorised by the Secretary of State for Scotland in that year denote a change in policy in regard to hydro-electric development?

No, Sir.

When will further authorisations be made?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that Question down, too.

Is the Minister aware that, in regard to Scottish electricity, we consider the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) to be one of the "appurtances thereto" that Scotland could well do without?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the periodical loss of lives from mountain climbing in Scotland and the frequent danger and loss to local inhabitants involved in rescue work; and whether he will inquire into the possibility of controlling or warning climbers with a view to avoidance of such tragedies.

Yes, Sir. I am assured that everything possible is done by the police to deter climbers from attempting ascents in unsuitable conditions, including the display of posters describing the precautions which climbers should take. These posters are displayed at youth hostels, hotels and other places in Inverness-shire, including Skye; and I am suggesting that this might also be done in other areas. While I shall, of course, gladly consider any suggestions that the right hon. Member may wish to make, I am afraid that control of climbing would involve difficulties both of principle and of administration.

I am no expert in climbing, and my advice would not be of any special value, but would the Secretary of State not consider getting together people who are expert in this connection to find out what can be done to stop this dreadful waste of valuable young lives and to avoid distress to people in the localities who are compelled to go out to rescue them and to the general public who are disturbed every year at finding these boys losing their lives seemingly for no purpose whatever?

Yes, Sir. Mountain courses are available for those who wish to learn to climb, but I would point out that most of the fatal accidents occur to those who have not informed themselves as to the conditions, or indeed as to the methods.

Cannot something be done about the provision of huts and roads at places where people do this climbing regularly?

Are not similar dangers involved in Snowdonia, in the Welsh Principality? Is there any reason why the Ministers and Departments concerned should not issue suitable warnings to inexperienced young men and women who tackle some of these very dangerous mountains without knowledge and experience of them?

I hope that these Questions and the publicity given to them will do something to deter inexperienced people from undertaking these impossible tasks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has sent to the communication received from the managing director of the Hawick knitwear firm of Lyle and Scott concerning the threatened take-over bid.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what communications he has had about an attempt to take over an 83-years-old Hawick knitwear firm; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the implications for Hawick and the Border counties which are likely to arise if local control of the 83-year-old knitwear firm of Lyle and Scott is lost by a take-over bid; and what action he is taking in the interests of this area.

Like other right hon. and hon. Members, my right hon. Friend has received representations from the managing director of Messrs. Lyle and Scott, Ltd., about the sale of shares in his company. My right hon. Friend has informed him that he has brought these representations to the notice of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, but that as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has himself no jurisdiction to intervene and as he understands that the company has raised certain actions in the Court of Session, he would not be justified in making any comment.

Is the Minister not aware that a great proportion of the population of Scotland is deeply shocked by the immorality and the ruthlessness of this take-over bid? Has the hon. Gentleman received a letter from the chairman of the company, dated 31st January? The chairman says, among other things:

"My personal view is that the dignity of man and his pride in his work are allowed to be trampled into the dust by a system under which anyone can buy shares in a company without revealing his name."

Is not the hon. Gentleman disturbed by this kind of thing? Has he or the President of the Board of Trade no power to stop this despicable action?

As the matter is sub judice, I would deprecate any further comment upon it.

Without wishing to comment upon any parts of this issue which are sub judice—we are all agreed about that—may I ask whether the Minister, when approaching the President of the Board of Trade, pressed on him that this responsibility falls clearly to him under the Companies Act? Was the purpose of bringing it to his notice a possible inquiry under the Companies Act?

I prefer to withhold further comment on this matter at the present time.

While not wishing to intervene in matters which may be sub judice on this company and affairs which lie in my constituency, may I ask my hon. Friend to draw the attention of the Secretary of State for Scotland and the President of the Board of Trade to the principle involved in this matter of take-over bids which is causing concern in the three counties which I have the honour to represent?

Will not the Secretary of State for Scotland give his views on the matter and not hide behind a mere legal technicality? Does he not realise that the monopolistic tendencies of Mr. Hugh Fraser will have to be dealt with either now or at some later date?

I must protest against the use of the phrase "legal technicality" with regard to the rules of order about discussing matters which are sub judice. I do not know the extent of the action in the Court of Session, so I am unable to control it, but hon. Gentlemen who know more about the subject should be very careful.

On a point of order. Surely, apart from any stage which this business has reached on the legal side, the Secretary of State for Scotland still has views on the question which—

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No doubt the Joint Under-Secretary of State will be aware of the importance of this industry to the Borders of Scotland and the need for its extension. Does he not agree that the more successful the firm the greater the danger of its being bought out by some group of financial Smart Alecs? Will he see that the matter is looked at much more closely than he has suggested?

This matter is primarily within the Departmental responsibility of the President of the Board of Trade, to whom there is a Question down later today.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the continued upward trend of prices, he will give an assurance that rigid financial considerations as to the total cost will not adversely affect the commencement of work on the Forth road bridge on the date recently specified.

The Forth Road Bridge Joint Board now has authority to take tenders as soon as it can. The acceptance of tenders will require my right hon. Friend's approval in the normal way, but subject to this the date on which the work will start will be determined by the speed at which the Joint Board is able to complete the plans and take tenders.

I think the hon. Gentleman has read the Answer to the wrong Question. He has read the Answer to a Written Question. Was not the cost originally given as £.14·3 million? May I ask a supplementary question, however, as though the Minister had given the right Answer? What did the Minister mean by the phrase:

"Does not materially exceed … £14·3 million"?

Is he aware that, in view of rising prices, the cost is likely to be more than £15 million before the date of commencing work on the bridge? Will he give an assurance, if that is the case, that the Government will not use that excuse to stop further progress? Will he give a further assurance that if there is such an increase of £1 million or so it will be borne by the Government and not by the local authorities concerned?

The difficulty in answering the Question of the hon. Member was to know exactly what he meant by "rigid financial considerations." Provided the tenders received are competitive, I have no reason to suppose that there will be any avoidable delay in starting.

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The hon. Gentleman is asking me what the Question means. I told him what it means and asked a supplementary question.

The Minister did not ask the hon. Member what the Question meant. He merely stated that he did not know what it meant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities are not building houses at the latest date for which information is available; and what are the reasons for this cessation of new construction.

At 31st December there were seventy-nine local authorities with no houses under construction, but twelve of them were due to start additional houses under approved tenders. The authorities concerned are rural counties or small burghs, and it is probable that most of them have gone a long way towards meeting current needs.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean that one in three local authorities in Scotland which have no houses under construction have not got them under construction because supply is equated with demand? Is that what he is saying?

The percentage covered by this number of local authorities is approximately 4 per cent. of the population of Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses for which local authorities have sought approval of tenders since 31st July, 1956; and if he will also give the figures for the same period in the two previous years.

The number of houses in tenders approved during the six months ended 31st January, 1957, was 10,433, as compared with 12,777 and 15,026 during the corresponding periods ended 31st January, 1956 and 1955, respectively.

Is it not evident, taking that in conjunction with the figures available of houses under construction, that there is a continuous fall in the house building programme in Scotland? Since we have not got the up-to-date figures for the latest months, are we not entitled to conclude that that is going to continue and get even worse? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is great danger of unemployment in the building industry in Scotland at a time when we are in dire need of more and more houses? What is he going to do about it?

I think the hon. Member is drawing quite wrong conclusions from the figures. The figures have been showing a steady decline since the peak year of 1953. The reason for that decline is one we are all very glad to see, that the smaller local authorities are approaching the end of their programmes.

How can the Minister justify a decline from 15,000 to 12,000 and now to 10,000 in tenders approved when things are getting worse every week?

We are very glad to see Scotland overtaking at least part of her very great housing problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take on the agreed proposals on deer in Scotland submitted to him by the interested parties.

The joint report is being considered. It has been discussed with the Nature Conservancy, which has furnished some additional information designed to facilitate a proper appreciation of the proposals. At this stage, my right hon. Friend cannot say whether or when the Government may be able to introduce legislation on the subject.

Whilst thanking my noble Friend for that Answer, may I ask if he would speed up in every way he can, particularly in view of the season?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many rabbit boards have been set up in Scotland similar to the Easter Ross Rabbit Board; and what co-operation there is between the Department of Agriculture and such boards.

Many voluntary organisations have been set up to further the rabbit clearance campaign in Scotland, and I understand that about fifteen of these have grouped themselves together to employ skilled trappers on the line followed in Easter Ross. There are no formal arrangements for official cooperation with these bodies, but there is much informal contact between them and the agricultural executive committees.

Does not my noble Friend agree that there should be far more co-operation, because the rabbit is becoming a menace once more and this could be used as a pilot scheme, as it has been very successful in Easter Ross? Would he encourage other people to form such boards?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any decision has yet been reached on the representations made to him concerning the position of the consultant physician at the Elsie Inglis and Bruntsfield hospitals.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend wishes to consider carefully the representations that have been made to him, and he is of course in consultation with the regional hospital board, which is responsible for the specialist services in the area.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to bear in mind that there is very widespread opposition in Edinburgh—in all classes—to any change in the position there? Could he say when a decision is likely to be made?

My right hon. Friend will carefully note the views the hon. Member has expressed, but I do not think that at this stage I can usefully add anything to the Answer I have already given.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the need for a strip mill in Scotland; and what steps he is taking to encourage its provision.

I am aware of the strong desire in many quarters that a strip mill should be set up in Scotland and of the benefits that might be expected to follow from it. This is a matter for the industry itself in the first place, but my right hon. Friend is in touch with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and my noble Friend the Minister of Power on the subject.

Can we take it that the Secretary of State is going to use all his influence to see that the process which has been developing in recent years in Scotland—particularly under this Government—is reversed and that, for a change, instead of industry leaving Scotland, we may see a major project coming to Scotland?

My right hon. Friend will always be enthusiastic in all good causes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the total loss by fire of the Thurso lifeboat in its shed on 10th December, when both fire pumps broke down after operating weakly for a brief period; if he is aware that the fire had not reached the lifeboat when the brigade arrived; that it could have been saved if the fire pumps had been in proper working order; and whether he will hold a public inquiry.

My right hon. Friend has considered a report by the firemaster on this incident. According to my information, it seems probable that the lifeboat was involved when the fire brigade unit arrived and could not have been saved. In view, however, of the further representations which my hon. Friend has made to my right hon. Friend, he has asked Her Majesty's Inspector of Fire Brigades in Scotland to visit Thurso and investigate the matter on the spot.

As regards the condition of the pumps, my right hon. Friend is assured by the fire authority that action has been taken to ensure that the appliances of the brigade are maintained in good order.

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask if he can assure me that steps have been taken already to repair these inefficient machines which were out of order, because human lives might well be at stake if this defective equipment is allowed to continue in its present state?

Yes, Sir, my right hon. Friend is assured that steps have been taken on those lines.

Will my hon. Friend do what he can to raise funds in Scotland to replace the lifeboat shed and the lifeboat?

I shall gladly consider that.

Is it not the case that Thurso raises more money per head of the population than any place in Great Britain—6s. 8d. per annum—for the lifeboat which was destroyed and that there can be no reflection on Thurso in that regard?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now initiate discussions with the local authorities concerned about proposals for a road bridge over the Firth of Tay at Dundee.

A road bridge over the Tay would be a classified road project and the initiative would lie with the highway authorities concerned. I understand that they are in fact discussing the matter.

Is the Minister aware that a road bridge at Dundee is required if the fullest value is to be obtained from the new Forth crossing? Will he at least assure the House that he will not rest satisfied until the east of Scotland has a modern road system that includes road crossings of both Firths, at Dundee as well as at Edinburgh?

We shall never rest satisfied until we achieve perfection.

Will my hon. Friend realise that not everyone agrees that Dundee is the best place to have a road bridge across the Tay?

Will the hon. Gentleman agree that now the Government have started building bridges there is great discrimination between them? Will he end that discrimination by building a bridge over the Firth of Tay?

As I have said, this is a matter in the first instance for the local authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reinstitute the Scottish Economic Conference.

My right hon. Friend sees no occasion at present for a further Conference.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary of State aware that there is some feeling in Scotland that the overall economic responsibilities exercised by the Secretary of State on behalf of the House of Commons have been taken over by the House of Fraser?

That seems to be rather a different question from the Question on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent local authorities have availed themselves of the provisions of the Agriculture (Improvement of Roads) Act, 1955.

So far sixteen authorities have submitted proposals for road improvement works. In view of the need to limit capital expenditure, no grants are being approved at present.

Will not the Joint Under-Secretary of State consider with his right hon. Friend the desirability of giving effect to the provisions of this Act, which they were most anxious to get through the House of Commons, with a view to promoting an expansion in agricultural production? Is there not now a need to expand agricultural production in Scotland?

Yes, Sir, there is, but, as the hon. Member knows very well, that has to be balanced against other things; and that is exactly what is being done.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement upon the present extent of the overspill problem in Scotland.

The major Scottish problem arises in Glasgow, where it is estimated that at least 300,000 persons will ultimately have to be rehoused outside the city boundary. Problems on a very much smaller scale may arise in one or two other towns, but this has not yet been fully established.

asked the Minister of Works when the illustrated brochure explaining the history of the ancient sculptured stones housed in his museum at Meigle, Perthshire, will be available at the museum for purchase by visitors as was promised by his predecessor.

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Hear, hear.

I thank my hon. Friends, on both sides of the House, for that welcome.

The Guide Book should be on sale in about six months. I am aware that one of my predecessors said he hoped to have the book available in 1955, but when we came to look at the question in detail it was thought desirable to prepare a much larger book, including the Early Christian Monuments of Scotland, and this has inevitably taken some time. I am, however, investigating the matter further.

May I thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer? Is he aware that this museum is alleged to house the gravestone of Queen Guinevere and is, therefore, of some romantic as well as historic interest?

That is just the kind of matter which requires a good deal of investigation when preparing the guide.

May we be told the cost of this guide?

This larger book is likely to cost 6s. The reason I am investigating the matter further is that it seemed to me that something smaller might be desirable for the ordinary visitor to that small museum.

May we be told the cost to the Government?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Works (1) whether, since the German Government is about to open a consulate for the first time in Nice because of the increasing industrial development in that area, he will consider letting to them the British Consulate there which is about to be closed;

(2) for how long Her Majesty's Government have a lease of the Consulate buildings in Nice; what steps he has taken to terminate the agreement; what is the rent; and what will be the cost to this country of maintaining the empty Consulate if the landlord refuses to take it back.

The offices of the Consulate General at Nice are held on a six years' lease from 1st January, 1954. Terms for the surrender of the lease on 15th February, 1957, have been agreed and accepted by the landlord. The question of disposing of our interest to the German Government does not therefore arise.

While I realise that my right hon. Friend was not in charge of the Department at the time that this decision was made, may I ask whether he does not consider it a worrying matter that the Germans are intending to move into a consulate in Nice when we are moving out and that, with the exception of the Republic of Ireland, we are the only country represented on the South Coast of France which has not a representative in this area, which is fast developing industrially?

The question of policy whether the Consulate General should or should not be closed is one for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Will not my right hon. Friend give serious consideration to moving this Consulate a few miles up the coast to Monte Carlo, which has now become a great centre of the shipping industry and where facilities exist for making money which are not available elsewhere?

I am inclined to think that it would be as well if we stuck to the present arrangement.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will place all the seats overlooking the river in the Victoria Tower Gardens on stands similar to those on the Victoria Embankment so that their occupants can see the river.

There are already four raised seats in the Victoria Tower Gardens. It would be expensive to raise all the other riverside seats, and I do not think I should do this at present, but I will keep the matter in mind.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council (1) to what extent, when appointments on a temporary basis to posts in a sensitive area are being considered by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Department arranges for a security check; and what information is given to the applicant that a check is being made;

(2) how many persons passed to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research by the Ministry of Labour for appointment in a temporary capacity have been rejected by the Department on security grounds.

For the great majority of appointments to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research no security check is necessary, but such a check is carried out where the candidate is to be employed in posts in a sensitive area. It is not the practice to inform candidates if only a negative check is carried out. Information is not available to show the particular grounds on which individual candidates have been rejected.

In view of the behaviour of the security officers in the past and the fact that in the course of their inquiries they have unnecessarily destroyed the reputation of completely innocent people, surely the Minister realises that men and women who are applying for jobs of this type should know the kind of inquiries which are being made about them. He has admitted that there are such cases.

I do not think there is any evidence to justify the sweeping assertion which the hon. Member has just made. As for the list, the hon. Member put the same question to the Minister of Labour and was told that no statistics are kept of applications or rejections.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what investigation is being carried out by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research into motor car fitments for saving petrol.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mr. Page) on 29th January, which represents the position as at present known. My noble Friend is, however, discussing with the D.S.I.R. the possibility of convening a meeting of technical experts drawn from industry and elsewhere to consider whether further long-term research would be likely to achieve useful results.

In view of the extravagant claims which are made by the makers for this curious assortment of gadgets, would it not be in the public interest to have an impartial scientific investigation? Why allow our present difficulties to be made the happy hunting ground of a lot of get-rich-quick gadget merchants providing gadgets the value of which is extremely doubtful?

I think that, on consideration, the hon. Member will see that my original Answer is very forthcoming along the lines he suggested.

But what is being done?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that British troops in Germany are being treated in an unfriendly fashion by the Germans; and whether, in view of this behaviour, he will take steps to withdraw our troops from that country.

No, Sir. Except for a few isolated incidents, relations between the Germans and our troops are friendly.

As the Answer is unsatisfactory and as a great deal more requires to be said about the subject, I hope to have an opportunity later to deal with it.

Does the Minister understand my right hon. Friend's Question to refer to the female population of Germany? If so, is it not true that my right hon. Friend is greatly misinformed?

I think there is probably quite a lot in what the right hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) says.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the personal gear of the men of the 26th M.L.B.C. of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps was lost when they were sent to Cyprus in November last and has not yet been returned to them; that no officer of the company was prepared to accept any responsibility for this matter, and that no steps were taken to inquire into it; and if he will take steps to inquire into the matter and to compensate the men for the loss of their personal goods.

After being fully equipped, members of this unit were advised to send their personal effects home and the necessary facilities to do so were made available. Many of the men did not take advantage of this arrangement and, when their unit was ordered overseas, they were allowed to load personal baggage in excess of the capacity of their kit bags, in the unit's vehicles. These travelled in a separate ship from the men, and because of a change of plan, were unloaded at Malta while the men went to Cyprus. The officer commanding made immediate efforts to locate the baggage, and, as soon as it was traced, arrangements were made for it to be sent home from Malta to await the men's return. So far as I have been able to ascertain, it is still in transit and not lost.

Is the Secretary of State for War aware that no such advice was given to these men? According to the words of a man who was involved, they were suddenly packed off to Cyprus and told to leave their gear behind, and they have not yet seen it again. Will the Minister agree to compensate the men for the loss of their personal gear if it never turns up—and it has not turned up yet?

I think the hon. Member and I have different information. I am told that the men were warned. I will look into any further information which he cares to give me. As I have pointed out, these effects are not yet lost; they are in transit. I hope to be able to find them before too long. Should they be lost, we should certainly consider the possibility of compensation.

Is it not the first principle of war never to be separated from your baggage? When does the Secretary of State hope to reunite the baggage and the men?

I think the hon. Gentleman is right. Those men were advised to send this baggage home.

Order. Mr. Brockway.

When will the men get this baggage?

Order.

On a point of order. There are men serving in the Army today who are separated from their personal effects. It is a reasonable question to put to the Secretary of State for War— which he did not answer; when are they going to get those effects?

That is not a point of order. The Question has had a fair run.

On a point of order. I asked a question of the Secretary of State for War to which, I am quite sure, the right hon. Gentleman has the answer, and I should be very much obliged if he would give it. When are the effects going to be returned?

The question which I called the hon. Member to ask has been answered.

Very unsatisfactorily.

asked the Secretary of State for War on whose authority orders were issued for a local exercise in Malta by the Fortress Squadron of the Royal Engineers describing the enemy as "Melita under the command of the notorious leader Mintoffovich," in view of the fact that Melita is the Phoenician name for Malta and the name of the Prime Minister is Mr. Mintoff.

The exercise in map reading was prepared by a junior officer for his troop. The General Officer Commanding, immediately he heard of the matter, sent his personal apologies to Mr. Mintoff, who courteously accepted them in a friendly way.

Would the right hon. Gentleman take this opportunity of expressing also, on behalf of this House—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Why not? Would he at least indicate that on this side of the House we very much resent an insult made to the people of Malta and to its Prime Minister?

An apology has been made and has been graciously accepted. I personally would add that it was unfortunate that this indiscretion occurred, and, in fact, this officer bus been dealt with personally by his commanding officer.