asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the demand for a public local inquiry into the proposal to establish a guided missiles range in the Western Isles; and when he intends to arrange for the inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will hold a public inquiry in South Uist into the proposed Royal Air Force rocket range.

As already stated, Her Majesty's Government, before deciding in November last that the range should go ahead, did everything possible to consult the public bodies concerned and also individual crofters, and to explain to them what exactly was involved. In view of the absence of objections after detailed plans had been circulated, no need was seen for a public inquiry. Applications for authority for the resumption of crofting land for the range are now before the Land Court which will, it is understood, hold a hearing in Benbecula on 8th April.

Is the Minister aware that provision is made under the 1947 White Paper for responsible persons to ask for an inquiry, quite apart from the local authorities; that 168 hon. Members have signed a Motion which is on the Order Paper asking for such an inquiry; that a meeting of local, representative people has also asked for it, and that nobody has objected to its being held? In the circumstances, even from the Government's own point of view, does not the Minister think that it might be worth while to have an inquiry?

While there was no stated time limit, my right hon. Friend did wait from June to November before taking the action he did. He considers, and I am sure the House will consider, that he waited a reasonable time. With that point in view, my right hon. Friend did not feel that a Motion signed by 168 Members would constitute an objection of substance within the time limit.

Oh.

Is the Minister suggesting that nearly 170 signatures of hon. Members of this House, of at least two of the parties. does not constitute pressure from a body of responsible persons? That is really what the hon. Gentleman is saying. Is he aware that local people, and many others who have had some opportunity of considering this matter, did not at first realise the impact and meaning of it until very recently and until fuller facts were disclosed? There is still a strong suspicion that the full facts are not known. Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that, from the Government's own point of view, it would be well to have an inquiry and to allow people to know the full facts as soon as possible?

I was answering the Question which the hon. Gentleman put to me. In regard to the other point, I do not think it would be wise for me to add to the reply I have given, as the matter is before the Land Court.

If the Minister is convinced that the Government have a good case, why will they not submit it to a public inquiry?

I have made no pronouncement on that point at all. I have said that the matter is before the Land Court, and I do not think that I should add to what I have already said.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that people in the islands of Barra, Benbecula, North and South Uist, requiring dental treatment, have not been provided for under the National Health Service owing to the lack of a resident dentist for over a year, have to travel to and from the mainland at their own expense, and pay board and lodgings while absent from home and work; and what steps are being taken to provide local dental treatment.

My right hon. Friend is aware that these areas are at present without a resident dentist. The county council and the executive council are continuing their joint efforts to replace the dentist who left early in 1956. To attract applicants, my right hon. Friend has authorised the executive council to guarantee a minimum annual income and the county council will provide the tenancy of a house and the use of a fully equipped mobile dental unit. He is writing to the hon. Member about the temporary arrangements which have been made to minimise the need for patients to travel for dental treatment.

Can the Minister indicate what the financial incentive is? On the last occasion it was obviously not sufficient to keep the man we had.

The financial incentive is a starting salary of £1,250 instead of £1.000. I think the hon. Gentleman will agree that it would not be right or in the patients' interests to obtain dentists by financial inducements alone.

Is the Minister aware that the financial welfare of the patients is far from being looked after, when they are having to do without dental treatment or pay their fares to Oban, Glasgow and Inverness, and then pay for board and lodging while having dental treatment which it is the statutory duty of the Minister to supply?

Everything possible is being done. The hon. Gentleman's Question will have helped to give publicity to the post. Under the arrangements now made this is quite an attractive post for anybody who likes living in the Islands.

Is it not certain that there will be a great extension in the health and community services in the Islands if the proposals for a guided missiles range materialise?

Any dentist interested in the post will no doubt bear that point in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that some crofters are being required to deposit about £300 before being allowed to build new houses with grant and loan aid from his Department; that this is discouraging some of those most in need of new homes; and whether he will reduce by half the amount required to be deposited.

Each application is dealt with on its merits, and my right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot lay down any general rule in this matter. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that no unnecessary difficulties are placed in the way of the crofters.

Is the Minister aware that it is an unnecessary difficulty to place in a man's way if he cannot afford to produce £300 for the deposit and is therefore unable to build his house, which everyone wants him to build? It is a question of the replacement of houses which are no longer fit for habitation. Is the Minister aware that a man can get 90 per cent. of the deposit from a private building society? In those circumstances, why does his Department hold out for £300 in the case of a house which probably costs about £1,000 to £1,700?

It is seldom that as much as £300 is asked, although it sometimes is. There is no evidence that this practice of asking for a deposit, which was forced upon the Department by experience, has, in fact, discouraged crofters from seeking these facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to improve the facilities in Scottish schools for scientific education.

Much has already been done to improve facilities. Provision is being made in the 1957–58 and 1958–59 building programmes for the improvement of substandard laboratories.

Is the hon. Member aware that a great many non-Scottish Members are very conscious of the great contributions made by Scotland to education in the past and are hoping that Scotland will make a major contribution towards meeting the challenge that lies before us, of vastly increasing our numbers of scientists and technologists in the near future?

I am grateful to the hon. Member for his tribute to Scotland's past contribution. I can assure him that it will be our endeavour to maintain that contribution in future, particularly upon the scientific and technological side.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will inquire into the prevalence of the cloistering-emolument system of service which exists in State hospitals in Scotland today, and indicate what steps he proposes to take to bring about its termination.

My right hon. Friend assumes that the hon. Member is referring to the fact that some doctors are required to live in hospital premises where it is necessary that doctors should always be available. He has no evidence of dissatisfaction with this practice.

I assumed that the Minister had evidence that it existed so widely amongst the institutional section of the staff that when they became organised in trade unions it was promptly stopped, and now remains only amongst the medical section. Does he agree with the principle that employers have the right to claim emoluments from cloistered staff who are cloistered for the purpose of carrying out their duties?

That is really a different question. No responsible group in the hospital service has objected to the present practice. I shall be glad to look into any case which the hon. Member has in mind.

On a point of order. If the hon. Member reads the Scotsman of 22nd February——

Order. That is not a point of order.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider taking steps to change the machinery for the appointing of justices of the peace for Lanarkshire.

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any reason for such a change.

Will the hon. Member again consult his right hon. Friend in this matter? There is a great deal of dissatisfaction in Lanarkshire about the method of selecting justices of the peace. Is he further aware that advisory committees are made up of members of two political parties? Irrespective of a person's character and integrity, if he has no political associations there is absolutely no hope of his getting on to a justices of the peace list. Will the Minister have another look at the matter and again consult his right hon. Friend?

I shall be glad to ask my right hon. Friend to look at the matter again, but I can assure the hon. Member that it is not the case that the justices of the peace lately appointed came from only two political parties. The political opinions of some of them were unknown.

Is the Minister aware that districts of very considerable size in Lanarkshire appear to be without justices of the peace? Will he see that those districts have their needs met in that connection?

This is a matter for the appropriate advisory committee, and I shall be glad to refer the matter to it.

On a point of order. In view of that most unsatisfactory Answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that shore owners can obtain a grant for a new engine for a new boat but not for a new engine for an old boat although working owners can obtain a grant for both new and old boats; and whether he will reconsider this anomalous situation.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the distinction referred to. The position was carefully reviewed before the introduction of the White Fish and Herring Industries Bill, passed by this House last week, but the conclusion was reached that there was no evidence that the absence of re-engining grants for shore owners seriously interfered with fishing operations.

In view of the fact that it is desirable to have the maximum number of boats reconditioned, is it not a pity that the withholding of this grant should interfere with a single case of an old boat requiring to be reconditioned with a new engine?

I do not think one can assume that there has been such interference. This distinction is not a new one, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows. It maintains one which has been already decided upon, and I think that it is probably wise to retain it.

Is the Minister aware that this is only one of many outstanding problems which have not been dealt with by the Government in recent legislation relating to the fishing industry? Will he consult the industry with a view to having those problems efficiently dealt with in a comprehensive Bill?

The whole point is that the problem has been dealt with, and that is exactly why my hon. and gallant Friend put down the Question.

Will my hon. Friend accept the assurance that this is a major problem in the fishing industry? Will he undertake to look at the matter again, together with the respective fishermen's associations, which. I can assure him, feel very strongly in this matter?

The strong feeling has been known. It was in view of that and all the other circumstances that this decision was taken, although it was bound not to be universally popular.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement concerning the further housing requirements of the National Coal Board in Glenrothes.

The current estimate of requirements as communicated by the Board to my Department is that 850 houses will be required during the four years from 1957 to 1960. The Board has also indicated that, subject to later review, a further 1,500 to 2,000 houses will be required in the five years from 1961 to 1965.

In view of the accelerated demand for housing by the National Coal Board, does not the hon. Gentleman think it incumbent upon the Department to undertake urgent talks with the President of the Board of Trade with a view to the introduction of new light industries into the town? If it is not planned now, the stage will be reached when miners will simply not come in because there is no employment for their wives and families.

I can assure the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend is in consultation with the Board of Trade upon this very important matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the annual value of the derating concession allowed in Scotland to industry and agriculture, respectively, in each of the last eight years.

As the Answer is long and contains figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the hon. Member indicate whether it will be possible to give figures for separate industries in this connection? Would not he consider it right and proper, in view of the current financial difficulties of local authorities—and would it not be a measure of justice—that industry should be asked to pay its full rates?

Upon the first point, I should not like to commit myself without notice. The second point is another question.

It is a very important point.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the purpose of the recent inquiry relating to the acquisition of land near West Kilbride; and what opportunity was given to objectors to state their case.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the public inquiry held at Largs into the application by the South of Scotland Electricity Board for my right hon. Friend's consent to the erection of a nuclear power station at Hunterston. Notice was given in the Press and otherwise that objections could be sent to him, and objectors were given the opportunity to state their case at the public inquiry.

Does not the Minister agree that there is an extraordinary contrast between the way in which the wealthy property owners of West Kilbride were treated and the way in which the crofters of South Uist were treated? Will he state why this inquiry was advertised in the local Press for the benefit of the Tory proprietors of West Kilbride, whereas no opportunity was given in the local Press to the crofters to state their case?

Since the hon. Member for Western Isles (Mr. Malcolm MacMillan) has given notice that this matter is to be raised on the Adjournment, I am not certain that it would be appropriate for me to deal with the second part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland for how many houses tenders have been accepted since August, 1956; and how many of these have been completed.

Since 1st August, 1956, my right hon. Friend has approved tenders for 13,856 houses, of which 3,462 were covered by proposals received before, and 10,394 by proposals received on or after that date. Six houses in the latter group have been completed.

If there are six or 600 will they be subject to the reduction in the subsidy provided for in a Bill which has not yet become an Act?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of new houses for which tenders were approved in February last; and if he will give the same information for February, 1956 and 1955.

In February, 1957, my right hon. Friend approved tenders for 2,947 houses. The corresponding figures for February, 1956, and February, 1955, are 2,414 and 998, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities are getting direct grants for home safety work in Scotland.

Expenditure by local health authorities on home safety work attracts National Health Service grant at the rate of 50 per cent. This grant is payable to all of the 55 local health authorities.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are only four home safety committees in Scotland? Are not the committees of the 55 authorities to which he referred accident prevention committees, which are mainly concerned with road accident prevention?

No specific grant is payable for home safety work as such, but normal advice and help is given by health visitors and other domiciliary services, and that automatically ranks for grant. Apart from that, my right hon. Friend has in the past approved for grant special expenditure on such items as special propaganda and provision of fire guards. I think that if the local authority concerned applied to my right hon. Friend he would look sympathetically at any proposition put forward.

Will my hon. Friend say under which Section of which Act grants are available so that local authorities, if they wish to have home safety weeks propaganda, or other functions to promote home safety, can know under what Act they can receive grants?

Under the National Health Service Act.

On a point of order. Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter again on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision is made in the new development plan for Edinburgh for dealing with slum clearance and the provision of new houses in Leith.

The plan allocates a total area of about 11 acres for new housing in Leith. In addition, the corporation is now preparing detailed proposals for comprehensive development areas for the Kirkgate and Citadel districts, and proposes to build houses on the site of Leith Fort.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a continuous decline in the population of Leith in the last few years, which is due entirely to the very bad housing conditions, and that the slow rate of progress in the building of new houses is making conditions much more difficult? Will he take steps to expedite slum clearance and building, in this ancient burgh?

I agree with the hon. Member that slum clearance was held up, but, now that we have the sites in Leith, I think the position will be better, although no specific proposals for redevelopment have been submitted for Leith.

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps with the corporation to expedite house building on the sites it has got? It certainly has a particularly good site at Leith Fort. I do not know that any excuse could be made for delay, because the site has already been turned over to the corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish as a White Paper a summary of his discussions with the local authorities on the new method of calculating block grants before he announces the decisions of Her Majesty's Government on this subject.

It is the intention to present a White Paper as soon as the discussions with the local authority associations have been concluded. My right hon. Friend hopes that this will be before the Summer Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many projects which were included, respectively, in the 1955-56 and 1956-57 school building programme have not yet been started; and if he will list the local authorities concerned and the value of the projects.

All the projects which my right hon. Friend expected to start in 1955–56 have now started. Until returns are received from education authorities after 31st March my right hon. Friend cannot say how many of the projects expected to start in 1956–57 will not have started.

Can the Minister tell me quite definitely that the figure of £13·2 million which his hon. Friend gave me last week as the figure for the Scottish school building programme for 1957–58 does not include any of the projects included in the previous school building programmes, but not yet started?

I should need notice of that question.

Has the hon. Gentleman noted that Edinburgh Corporation has postponed the building of a secondary school in Edinburgh during the relevant years because of its inability to raise the necessary capital sum of £ 10 million?

No, Sir, the reason for that has not been drawn to my attention, but I can tell the hon. and learned Member that the principal reason for delay is the continued shortage of architects and quantity surveyors.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the fact that at the beginning of the school term this year there will be a substantial increase in the number of pupils entering secondary schools, and that in the following years this number will increase further, and since there is a diminishing number of secondary school teachers, what steps he proposes to take to overcome this problem.

The intake of pupils into secondary schools will probably be less this year than in 1956 although it will increase in 1958 and 1959. The number of secondary school teachers is increasing steadily, but not fast enough to meet the growing demand. The Advisory Council is considering the problem and my right hon. Friend hopes to receive a report from them in the early summer.

Does not that reply confirm the fears expressed in the Question? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the City of Glasgow even now requires 500 teachers and that action should have been taken at least three or four years ago by the Government——

Ten years ago.

—to avoid the emergency which is now upon us? Will the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to do one of three things? Will he seek the release of teachers from the Forces, or approach industry for the release of qualified men, or enter into arrangements for primary teachers to go into senior school work?

My right hon. Friend has set as the first task of the Advisory Council to consider measures to meet the increasing demand for teachers for secondary education. As I say, we hope to have its report early in the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the extent of the shortage of teachers with the requisite qualifications and training in junior secondary and senior secondary schools in Scotland; and which areas have the greatest shortage.

Separate figures for different types of secondary schools are not available. In October, 1956, education authorities estimated that they required 1,129 additional teachers qualified to teach in secondary schools. According to the authorities' own estimates the shortage of these teachers was proportionately most severe in Ross and Cromarty, Stirlingshire, Banffshire, Aberdeenshire, Renfrewshire and West Lothian.

Is the Minister aware that his Answers to Questions Nos. 22, 23 and 24 and to previous Questions must cause great concern to all those interested in education? Will he not give some further consideration to matters which might attract a greater number of teachers? In particular, will he give the greatest consideration to the introduction of a proper pensions scheme for widows and dependants, since that might do something to attract the number of people we need in this profession?

The hon. Lady knows that all these matters are under consideration at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of Scottish emigrants during each of the past three years.

It is estimated that the net migration from Scotland in the year ending on 30th June, 1956, which is the latest period for which figures are available, was 24,710. The figures for the years ending on 30th June, 1954, and 30th June, 1955, were 25,398 and 23,150 respectively. These totals include a net migration to other parts of the United Kingdom of about 13,000.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that I am asking for the gross figure, not the net figure? Is he also aware that a person going into Scotland is not necessarily equivalent to a person coming out of Scotland? Unless we are going to be guessing as to what is actually happening, it is high time we got the gross figures of the total number of Scottish-born people leaving Scotland. Will the hon. Gentleman try to get those figures for us?

Yes, I shall see if they can be obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received urging the preservation of the character of the Bruntsfield Hospital for Women and Children and the Elsie Inglis Memorial Maternity Hospital, Edinburgh, as institutions where women and children may be cared for by legally qualified medical women.

Representations have been received from hon. Members, from the board of management concerned, from a number of bodies, mainly societies representing women, and from a large number of private persons.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that hon. Members on this side of the House—and, I presume, hon. Members opposite—are receiving representations on this question by every post? Although my constituency is some distance away, I have received at least twenty communications from constituents concerned with this question. Is not one of the jobs of the Secretary of State to protect the users of hospitals from unnecessary bureaucracy? Is not that what is happening? Are we not being treated with unnecessary bureaucracy?

We had an Adjournment debate about this last night. I can once more assure the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend, in refraining from intervention, has taken all relevant factors into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish fishing industry regarding the proposed increase in the cost of fuel oil; if he is aware that this will result in the laying up of a considerable number of vessels, with consequent unemployment; and what action he proposes to take.

The Scottish and English Trawler Owners and the Scottish Inshore Fishermen asked for increased subsidy when the price of oil rose in January. My right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State have told them that we shall take account of oil costs and other relevant factors in considering the subsidy rates to apply after 1st August next. In the meantime, my right hon. Friend is not aware that any Scottish ships have been laid up, or are to be laid up.

Is the Minister not aware that the Scottish fishing industry, in common with the fishing industry of the rest of Britain, has just received another notice saying that there is to be a further increase in the price of these oils and for the Scottish fishing industry the extra cost will be £¼ million a year? Has he nothing to say to the industry with a view to giving it some assistance to carry it over this extremely difficult period for which it cannot be held responsible?

The answer to that is contained in my substantive reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many classes are above the number laid down in the code in primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools in Scotland.

The latest available figures of oversize classes in the whole of Scotland relate to January, 1956. At that date there were 1,286 oversize classes in primary departments, 725 in the first three years of secondary departments and 83 in the fourth and subsequent years.

Does the Minister tell us that the latest figures are for January, 1956? Since this is a most serious matter, surely the Secretary of State ought to see that figures much more relevant than those of over a year ago are provided for hon. Members on both sides of the House.

It is difficult to get in figures from all parts of the country, but I take note of what the hon. Lady said.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many classes are above the number laid down in the code in Lanarkshire and Glasgow, giving separate figures for primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools.

The latest available figures of oversize classes in primary departments, in the first three years of secondary departments and in the fourth and subsequent years of secondary departments relate to the middle of January, 1957, for Lanarkshire and to the beginning of session 1956–57 for Glasgow. The figures for Lanarkshire are 266, 159 and six and for Glasgow, 415, 146 and thirty-eight.

Since the Minister is able to give later figures for these two places, it seems to me that he could have obtained later figures in answer to Question No. 22. Do not these figures suggest that steps should be taken by the Secretary of State to ensure that these numbers are decreased?

As I have said, we have asked the Advisory Council to advise on the secondary side of the problem. We are taking all possible steps to reduce the number of oversize classes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities have declared their willingness to consider accommodating overspill population from Glasgow; and what numbers have been mentioned in each case.

Authorities which have indicated an interest in catering for Glasgow overspill include the Town Councils of Kilmarnock, Kirkintilloch and Milngavie, and the County Council of Dunbarton. The authorities have, of course, not committed themselves as to numbers or detailed proposals, pending the legislative decisions of Parliament and discussions with Glasgow Corporation which the corporation has already initiated.

Indicating "an interest" does not mean that in any way they are committed to carrying out any such arrangements as envisaged under the overspill agreement. Has any authority in Scotland shown more than interest and given a definite promise that it will carry out such an agreement?

I think I have indicated in my reply exactly what the position is.

Is the decision of these authorities to consider accommodating overspill from Glasgow linked with the provision of industry in the receiving areas?

That is all covered in the Bill now before the Committee.

asked the Minister of Works what recent action has been taken to re-erect fallen stones at Stonehenge.

Preparatory studies and arrangements are in progress, and I hope the trilithon and two Outer Circle stones will be re-erected next year.

Question No. 28.

Is not an hon. Member permitted to ask a supplementary question on this important matter?

I did not see the hon. Member rise, but he may ask his supplementary question.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a school of archaeological thought which is most suspicious of what the Minister is proposing? Will he look into the matter again?

There is profound suspicion amongst all archaeologists about what all other archaeologists say or do.

asked the Minister of Works when the new employment exchange for Accrington will be built.

A new employment exchange at Accrington is included amongst those to be built in the future, but it cannot be undertaken for some years.

Is the Minister aware that this is a serious matter, that this exchange is very badly situated, inside an arcade, and that the buildings and rooms reflect no credit on his Department?

I know that the present premises are unsatisfactory. My Department has acquired another site which will be used for the new exchange to replace the present exchange.

Is there any use for an employment exchange there, since there is no unemployment in Accrington?

asked the Minister of Works whether he is in a position to make a statement about the future preservation of the pre-Norman sculptured stones at St. Vigeans Church, Arbroath.

Yes, Sir. I have agreed to the request of the Kirk Session to assume the guardianship of these stones and I welcome this opportunity of paying tribute to the generosity of the Kirk Treasurer, Mr. G. W. Dunn, in presenting free of consideration a cottage in which the Stones can be suitably housed and displayed.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he will add to the pleasure of all archaeologists—all archaeologists, whether they quarrel or not—by producing, when the cottage is erected, pamphlets or illustrated booklets at a price of not more than 2s., which tourists can buy, in order that the true history of these stones may be revealed? May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that the first documentary reference to this church is by a Bishop Hugh?

I was not aware of the interesting historical fact which my hon. and gallant Friend has conveyed to me. I will consider the possibility of producing something on the lines he suggests.

asked the Minister of Works what steps his Department takes to make known the ancient monuments under his care to visitors to this country from overseas.

Ancient monuments figure in much of the publicity directed towards tourists. Leaflets and posters about ancient monuments are distributed through the British Travel and Holidays Association and by travel agencies and shipping and air transport companies. Photographs and particulars of many monuments are widely used abroad by the British Travel and Holidays Association and by travel agencies.

Does that reply mean that the Minister is aware that if these monuments are adequately publicised there is a very good opportunity of increasing the dollar revenue of this country because of the interest which foreign visitors take in these subjects?

Undoubtedly our very interesting past is one of the attractions of these islands, and we try to bring it to the attention of people who are considering visiting us. At the same time, I am bound to say that ancient monuments, although a tourist attraction, are not in themselves a great source of income from tourists.

Is the Minister aware that although the material contained in these leaflets prepared by the Inspector of Ancient Monuments is admirable, there is, nevertheless, a feeling that the way in which it is presented could be greatly improved. Would he consider discussing with the Central Office of Information and the Stationery Office possible methods of improving the publications which are issued?

I know that a large number of our publications arc of a somewhat scholarly flavour, but we do all we can to encourage the British Travel and Holidays Association, which is less scholarly in its outlook, to give a more popular presentation of our monuments.

Will my right hon. Friend do his best to avoid the dangers of over-restoration? If he is to put everything back to where it was before, he will find himself in an awful mess.

I think that was a supplementary question to Question No. 27 and not to the Question which I am answering.

asked the Minister of Works what conclusions have been reached regarding the technical and economic problems raised by the large-scale application of the results of the experiments at the Building Research Station, Garston, Hertfordshire, in making bricks from a mixture of fly-ash from power stations and clay; and what quantity of bricks was produced by this method in 1956.

The application to large-scale production of the techniques referred to is a matter for individual firms, of whom there are some 700 engaged in brick production, and I have no information on the matter. The economic value of fly-ash depends on the proximity of a brick works with a supply of suitable clay to a power station producing suitable ash. I understand from the Central Electricity Authority that in 1956 some 25,000 tons of ash was so used, and the amount appears to be increasing.

Is it not a fact that suitable ash and suitable clay have been brought together in Leicester and Glasgow? As it is desirable to make use of this waste material, is not the right hon. Gentleman's Department, or some other Department, trying to encourage some suitable firms to use this suitable fly-ash?

In view of the information that the hon. Member appears to have on the subject, it hardly seems necessary for him to ask me the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War how the number of generals, lieutenant-generals and major-generals, respectively, now employed at the War Office compares with the number of those ranks employed there on 1st March, 1939.

Two generals, seven lieutenant-generals and nineteen major-generals on 1st March. 1939, compared with three generals, five lieutenant-generals and thirty-two major-generals at present.

Can my right hon. Friend explain the reason for that increase? Even if it is merely that there are far too many generals on the Active List, are there no bowler hats amongst those surplus stores of which we read?

In reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary, the Army, of course, is now almost double its 1939 size. As to the second part of his supplementary, I have already given the House, the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) and others an assurance that I have every intention of getting down these appointments to the minimum necessary.

Now that the right hon. Gentleman has admitted that the War Office is cluttered up with a super abundance of generals, what does he intend to do about it? He has given the House an assurance that he intends to do something about it, but how long will it take? Is he going to jettison some of these unwanted generals?

The right hon. Gentleman gets very hot and cold over this. There is one general more than in his day. I have every intention of doing what I can to reduce the number.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date the purchase of Warcop Hall, Westmorland, was completed; what was the purchase price; for what purpose it has been used since it was purchased; and what are the future intentions of his Department as to its use.

The purchase of the Warcop Hall estate was completed on 1st June, 1955. It would be contrary to Government practice to disclose the price paid. The estate was needed as part of a firing range.

How much longer does the Under-Secretary of State intend to keep on repeating this silly reply? This House is in the middle of a large and populous village. How on earth can he say that it is part of a range? Will the Minister say to what use the hall is being put, and why was it necessary for his Department to purchase this manor house, which is one of the most beautiful manor houses in this part of the country? Why does not the War Office either sell it or find a tenant for it? And why all the secrecy about the purchase price? Can the hon. Gentleman imagine what some of his hon. Friends would say if the Coal Board or the Central Electricity Authority had been concerned?

The hall was bought as part of a package deal, and arrangements have now been made to sell it to a private purchaser.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the normal length of time for which the medical records of units are kept.

Some unit medical reports are destroyed after three months, but personal medical records are kept for many years.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that claims arising from illness or disability caused or aggravated by service in the Army are often very hard to support because of lack of adequate records? Could he get a little more uniformity into the system, and see that the records are kept rather longer than is the case at present?

I have great sympathy with what my hon. Friend says. If he has any particular case, perhaps he will bring it to my attention, but I can assure him that our aim is not to destroy medical records until we are sure that the individual's position in any pension claim will not be affected by destruction.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress he has made towards finding accommodation for the wives and children of those married soldiers in Don Barracks, Aberdeen, for whose families there is no room in the barracks.

Five families have been accommodated since I answered a related Question by the hon. and learned Member on 19th February. The waiting list at this barracks is, however, the same length as before, because further families have become eligible for quarters. I regret that progress cannot be more rapid because we have to accommodate extra families of the Gordon Highlanders Band at Bridge of Don until quarters become available for them at Dover, where the battalion is stationed. These families are due to move out by the end of next month when the waiting list for quarters will be much reduced.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for the little bit of progress he has made, may I ask him if he realises that it is unworthy of a great Power like Britain to keep married soldiers separated from their wives and families for long periods, as in this instance, and will he take urgent steps to see that those families are reunited?

I will certainly bear the hon. and learned Member's point in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made in the "civilianisation" of the two Army pay offices in Edinburgh.

These two pay offices have a total staff of about 250, of whom 68 are civilians and 41 members of the Women's Royal Army Corps. The future composition of pay offices is at present under review and will depend upon a number of considerations. As already stated by my right hon. Friend, it is our policy to replace soldiers by civilians wherever possible.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that one does not civilianise an Army pay office by recruiting civilian clerks, instead of soldiers, to work under Army officers with no knowledge of modern accounting methods and machinery? Does he realise that he will have to civilianise the management and methods as well as the clerks if he wants to civilianise properly?

As my right hon. Friend made clear in the Vote on Account debate, it is our intention to introduce electronic computing methods as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the obsolete and out-moded accommodation for Service men at Maryhill Barracks; and if he will, in reviewing the Army's future needs, permit the resumption of building of new accommodation at Cardross.

A good deal of work has been done at different times to modernise Maryhill Barracks, but to proceed further with this programme now that we are uncertain how long we shall need the barracks would not be in the interest of public economy. As to Cardross, I regret that I cannot go beyond my Written Answer of 5th March to a similar Question by the hon. Member.

Can the Under-Secretary say whether a decision in this matter is likely to be come to very soon?

I cannot say how soon it will be arrived at. It is not our intention to remain in the barracks indefinitely.

But cannot the hon. Gentleman give us rather more hope of progress in this matter of barracks? After all, his colleague the Secretary of State for Air is now reported to he moving at more than supersonic speed. Cannot the hon. Gentleman at any rate move at some speed in this matter of barracks accommodation, which is, perhaps, the most important single factor in recruiting a voluntary Army?

I do not think that the Under-Secretary of State to the War Office should try to break through the sound barrier.

May I, as one with experience of Maryhill barracks, ask the Under-Secretary if it is not about time that they were designated as an ancient monument and handed over to the care of the Minister of Works?

asked the Secretary of State for War what representations have been made to him concerning the future of the Royal Norfolk Regiment; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no representations about the future of this regiment, nor am I aware of any through official channels.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, so far as it goes, that statement will give a great deal of reassurance in the county? Would he bear in mind that the Army could ill afford to be without this great regiment, which has served Britain with such efficiency, cheerfulness and courage in all parts of the world?

I hope that my hon. Friend does not misunderstand what I say. The question whether cuts will have to be applied to the infantry as a whole has not been decided. Therefore, the future of individual units cannot be considered at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will issue an instruction to his Department that the word "civilianisation" be not used.

If my hon. Friend or anybody else can suggest a shorter, more elegant single word to replace this ugly but time-saving term. I will gladly consider it.

Surely, that will not do? May I ask my right hon. Friend when it was that he conceived this sudden respect for the single word, and does he not think that it would be altogether more fitting if he lent his support to a campaign for the dejargonisation of the language?

I would go even further. If my hon. Friend can suggest two words to replace this word, I will consider his suggestion.

When was the term "civilianisation" added to the vocabulary at the War Office? Was it in use in my time?

The right hon. Gentleman was not, I think, quite as progressive as we are in these days.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it might be possible to use the word "civilising"?

I always listen very carefully to any suggestions made by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Would the Minister consider substituting the word "liquidation"?

I do not think that would be a very helpful suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many safety razor blades have been declared surplus by his Department since 1st January, 1955, and offered for sale at public auctions.

8,595,100 razor blades have been declared surplus, of which 7,513,580 have already been sold at public auctions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer two questions? First, were these razor blades offered to the other two Services, and. second, why were these razor blades, which were sold at the rate of eight a penny, not sold to the troops? Is it that the troops are not now using razor blades?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary is that the disposal of surplus stores is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply. The second part of his supplementary is really another matter, and I notice that the hon. Gentleman has another Question down on the Order Paper for next Tuesday——

Why not answer it now?

—and, therefore, I would hesitate to prejudge my answer next Tuesday.

Can the Minister tell the House by what extraordinary and brilliant processes the War Office managed to accumulate 8 million-odd razor blades? How was it done?

The vast majority of these razor blades were accumulated because we were fighting a great war; in other words, they were largely accumulated during the time when the right hon. Gentleman was a member of the Coalition Government.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men of medical Grade II have been sent to Cyprus; and whether he will consider, during the present crisis in that island, not sending men with less than 100 per cent. fitness to serve there.

Statistics showing the medical categories of men serving in Cyprus are not readily available, and the information requested by the hon. Member in the first part of his Question could not be provided without undue expenditure of effort. I would point out that many Grade II men are fit to perform suitable military duties in Cyprus, and I do not consider that it is either justifiable or practicable to limit service there to men of a higher standard of fitness.

Does the Minister really suggest that a man, such as one of my constituents who has had only one eye all his life, out of which he can hardly see, is fit to be in the Army and, more than that, fit to be sent to Cyprus where, according to what my soldier friends tell me, a man needs four eyes in order to see what is happening all round him? Can it really be fair that a man of that physical capacity should be in the Army, let alone be sent to Cyprus, and will he look into the case if I send him the papers?

If the hon. Gentleman will send me the details of the case, I will certainly look into it. He will, of course, realise that there are clerical and other duties to be performed in Cyprus for which no high degree of fitness is relevant.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the official proposals now being made to transfer control of the Armed Forces in East Africa from his Department to the East African Governments and what arrangements are proposed for servicing the Forces to the East Africa High Commission.

It is proposed that control of the Armed Forces in Kenya. Tanganyika and Uganda should pass to the Governors of these territories on 1st July, thereby reverting to pre-war practice. The Governors will control the operational use of the Forces raised and stationed in their own territories, but the centralised military command for East Africa as a whole will be retained. As to the second part of the Question, detailed arrangements are still under discussion.

Will the right hon. Gentleman very seriously consider the implications of this decision? Is he not aware that there has been the most vigorous opposition in the Legislature of Uganda, including that of the European representatives, and is it not undesirable that the control of the Armed Forces should be handed over to these Governments before democracy is established in these territories?

Those considerations are considerations which really ought to be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary.

asked the Prime Minister what conditions are necessary before Her Majesty's Government will consider implementing the recommendations of the Select Committee on Members' Salaries; and whether, as the Government have agreed to implement the recommendations of the Select Committee on Members' Expenses, he will now state when he expects to take the necessary action to carry into effect these proposals.

I have been asked to reply.