asked the Minister of Works whether he will now arrange to open the Tower of London on Sunday afternoons in winter in view of the tourist demand throughout the year.

No, Sir. There are considerable practical difficulties in the way of Sunday afternoon opening, and while these can be faced during the summer months when attendances throughout the week are very heavy, I do not feel that I should be justified in continuing the necessary arrangements during the winter when daily attendances drop very steeply and the days are short.

Could not the Tower be opened for two hours in the afternoon? I gather that the British Holiday Travel Association takes the view that there would be a very good response to such an opening during the week-end.

I do not think there would be a very good response. The number of attendances last year fell from 142,649 in September to 44,000 in October, 27,000 in November and 13,000 in December. This indicates that the Tower is nothing like as popular in the winter as it is in the summer. I do not think it would be a good thing to open the Tower of London on Sundays.

asked the Minister of Works what action he proposes to take to provide a suitable place to display the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.

A scheme has been sketched out for a new Jewel House, and more detailed planning will be put in hand when there are prospects of funds being available.

Would there not be a very good return in fees from people who would crowd to see the Jewels? Would it not be a very good investment?

Yes, Sir. I think there would be a good return upon the investment, but, as the hon. Gentleman is aware, the Government have found it necessary to restrict investment at the present time.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will take the initiative in making available a suitable public building under his control to the Victoria and Albert Museum for a display of Tudor furniture.

No, Sir, I understand that the museum has no requirement for any such accommodation.

Would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to approach the Crown to see whether St. James's Palace could be made available for this kind of museum display? Other palaces, like Hampton Court and Kensington, have been made available when no longer in use by the Royal Family.

No, Sir. It would not be appropriate for me to make any approach in this matter.

asked the Minister of Works his present intentions with regard to raising one of the fallen trilithons at Stonehenge.

It remains my intention if funds can be provided to re-erect the trilithon next year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that people were rather expecting that it would be done in the very near future? Can he give us an assurance that it will be done next year?

No, Sir, I cannot give that assurance, but it is my very strongest hope that it will be done next year.

asked the Minister of Works what steps he has taken in conjunction with the City Corporation to ensure the preservation and proper display of the remains of the Roman London wall and fort in Falcon Street, Cripple-gate.

The Corporation of the City of London is proceeding with the scheme for the preservation of the wall and gate to which I referred in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 12th February, 1957. It will be possible for the public to inspect the remains which will be in a chamber underneath Route 11.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, notwithstanding his answer in February, nothing has been done since then? Has he observed the very interesting suggestion put forward by Lord Mottistone for the preservation of this interesting relic of antiquity as a memorial of London of deep significance, by sinking the external level to the old level and thereby providing a very attractive piece of evidence and possibly a centre of interest to tourists from all over the world?

I have not seen the suggestion made by Lord Mottistone. What it is proposed to do is in general accordance with the advice given by the Ancient Monuments Branch of my Ministry. It would be thoroughly well preserved and readily accessible to anyone interested in it. I am sorry that there has been delay in this matter, but that has been due to the time we had to wait for Route 11 to reach that point.

asked the Minister of Works when the carpets outside the Strangers Dining Room will, in view of their condition, be renewed.

I hope they will be renewed in the Easter Recess.

Is my hon. Friend aware that hon. Members will be very much gratified at this news?

Does the Parliamentary Secretary not think that at a time when the most intricate problems face hon. Members, the Government and the world at large, it is a waste of time and intolerable that Questions of this kind and of so trivial a character should be placed on the Order Paper?

asked the Minister of Works the terms on which he appointed one of his officials as General Manager of the Directorate-General of Works.

The General Manager, who is an established civil servant, will be paid the same salary as a Deputy Secretary.

The right hon. Gentleman does not say, however, how long he has been told that he may hold the position. Does he recall that last week on this subject he said, in the first place, that it was unfortunate that a professional candidate whom he could accept did not apply, and, in the second place, that this was an administrative job and that there was no need of professional qualifications? May we know which of those two points of view represents the Minister's firm view about this post?

I hold both views simultaneously and equally strongly.

asked the Minister of Works when his Department will vacate the flats in Baker Street at present occupied by the Building Operational Research Unit and rehouse that unit with the rest of the Building Research Station.

I hope to move the Building Operations Research Unit to the Building Research Station before the lease of the Baker Street premises expires in June, 1960.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman do better than that? Surely it is time that we vacated these flats in Baker Street? Surely he recognises that the efficiency of this unit would be much improved if it were housed in the Building Research Station?

There is no urgency about leaving these premises as the lease comes to an end only in June, 1960. As various parts of it become vacant we are removing elsewhere. We hope to begin building accommodation for this unit at the Building Research Establishment near Garston towards the end of 1958.

Is the Minister not aware that hundreds of thousands of Londoners desperately want homes? How can he say that there is no urgency in this matter?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made in the implementation of the five-year plan for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research; and in what respects the implementation of that plan has been delayed.

The first 3½ years of the five-year plan of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research have now been completed. The activities of the Department have developed and are developing broadly along the lines planned; for example, at the end of 1957–58, the fourth year of the plan, it is estimated that the staff will have increased by about 750 out of a planned increase of 800, though the Department, in common with all other employers of scientific and technical staff, has not been able to recruit all the specialist staff it requires. The provision of new buildings has also fallen behind, largely due to restriction on capital expenditure, but by the end of the year about half the planned building programme will have been completed.

While appreciating the difficulties, may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to keep this under review, because it is a department of his activities in which we cannot afford to lag behind.

I can assure the House that my noble friend takes a keen and continual interest in this point.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has yet been requested to prepare its second five-year plan.

The plans of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for the five-year period, 1959–64, are at present in course of preparation within the Department and are being considered by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The Council expects to be submitting proposals to my noble Friend before long.

While thanking the hon. Member for his reply, may I ask him to indicate to the D.S.I.R. that this is a matter in which we cannot afford to be unambitious?

The D.S.I.R. itself decides whether or not to take this forward look. It does not have to wait for any instruction from any Government Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps are taken by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to ensure that there is no undesirable overlap in the work of the grant-aided co-operative research associations serving the textile industries.

There are close direct contacts between the nine associations in this group, viz., cotton, wool, linen, jute, rayon, hosiery, lace, "hat and felt," and launderers. In addition, 10 years ago the D.S.I.R. established, a Standing Consultative Conference on Textile Research to avoid undesirable duplication and to promote collaboration among the various research associations, or equivalent organisations engaged in textile research, whether in receipt of grant aid from the Department or not.

Does my hon. Friend think that the conference meets often enough, and has its work justified its ten-year life?

I think so. The main conference meets every year, and the effective committee of it, which does the main work, meets every quarter. I do not think there is any doubt that it has justified its existence so far.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what arrangements are made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for research into the use of timber.

Research into the use of timber is conducted mainly at the Forest Products Research Laboratory of D.S.I.R. and also by the research section of the Timber Development Associations and the Furniture Development Council, which are grant-aided by the Department.

What activities of the Furniture Development Council are grant-aided by the D.S.I.R.?

The committee which undertakes the research and the dissemination of the information arising from that research. That is the section of the Furniture Development Council which is grant-aided.

Does the hon. Member recognise the need for research into an alternative to timber and not only for research into the trade itself?

Yes, but that does not arise out of this Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, for what purpose the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research makes awards for the maintenance of post-graduate students.

The D.S.I.R. makes post-graduate awards to help meet the country's needs for an adequate supply of persons with post-graduate training in science and technology, except in the medical and agricultural sciences which are dealt with by other bodies.

Does the grant carry with it any condition that the trained man should bring some benefit to the country?

No, the grant does not have any specific conditions of that sort, but by and large grants are restricted to British subjects who are normally resident in the United Kingdom.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, how the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research obtains advice upon the allocation of its Research Studentships.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has set up a Post-graduate Training Grants Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Eric Ashby. This Committee is composed of three members appointed after consultation with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of Universities in the United Kingdom; another member qualified especially to speak for the technical colleges; and professors of high standing in the nine main broad fields of science and technology in the Department's purview. The chairman of the University Grants Committee and a representative of the Ministry of Education sit as Assessors.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to give us some idea what are the nine broad fields of science and technology?

I can answer that question, because it is a question which I myself asked. The answer is: biology and biochemistry; chemical engineering and metallurgy; chemistry; electrical engineering; engineering; geology; mathematics; physics and the social sciences.

In view of the known concern of the Lord President of the Council for the encouragement of "eggheads," may we have an assurance from the Minister that adequate attention is being given to developing these Research Studentships to the fullest possible extent? May we have an assurance that everything possible is being done in the way of scientific research?

Yes. I can assure the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend's interest in "eggheads" applies to this.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received respecting the refusal of Dunbartonshire County Council to grant planning permission to the Cumbernauld New Town Development Corporation for the erection of a number of dwellings which do not comply with standards laid down by the Dunbartonshire Planning Authority: and what steps he proposes to take.

The county council granted planning permission for these houses, subject to adjustment of the plans to comply with building byelaw requirements. After full consideration of the views of the county council. I decided to approve the plans under the New Towns Act, with the result that no such adjustment is required.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many leading authorities, sanitary engineers and architects are very concerned about this type of building and feel that the specification for the work put into the job should be of a very high standard because, if the standard is not of the highest, these ventilating systems break down very often and very quickly?

The hon Member probably knows that the fans are in duplicate. The system will be in continuous operation. The greatest care has been taken to make certain that it is the best type of equipment of its kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received respecting the occurrence which took place in Clydebank High School, particulars of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Dunbartonshire, resulting in considerable distress to children and parents.

I have received only the representations which the hon. Member forwarded to me from the parent of one of the children concerned. I have written to the hon. Member giving him the results of my inquiries into this regrettable incident.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the very extensive reply which I received this morning, and while accepting many of the points which he makes in that reply, may I ask him if he does not think that it is practically impossible to effect the recruitment of teachers into the general body of education on the basis of their being handpicked by the Director of Education, and that hand-picking for general skill is almost impossible? Does not this demonstrate it is absolutely essential that before anyone goes into a school to teach children, he or she should be properly educated and be certificated as being capable of teaching?

Of course, we are anxious to get the maximum number of certificated teachers possible, but I would point out that these 43 uncertificated teachers employed in Dunbartonshire are reported to be achieving a very large measure of success.

That is all very well, but this is a case of a breakdown of the teacher-student relationship prejudicing the public interest. How often in the case of an uncertificated teacher is there shown to be a breakdown between students and teacher in fields about which no one knows, because in the case of uncertificated teachers I am assured by many people that breakdowns occur very frequently?

I can only say that this incident, very regrettable as it is, is the first of its kind that has been brought to my attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes taking to prevent the entry into the teaching profession of unsuitable candidates.

I see no reason to make any change in the present training and probation arrangements, which do everything practicable to ensure that unsuitable persons do not become eligible for permanent employment as certificated teachers. It is for education authorities to satisfy themselves of the personal suitability of those they engage to teach in their schools whether permanently as certificated teachers or temporarily as uncertificated teachers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is rather a shock to me, coming as I do from the South and having been in Scotland for eight years, to hear so many Scottish people say that education is on the decline? Will he look into the recruitment of teachers in Scotland and satisfy himself that the full standards regarding the quality of teachers are being observed in order to maintain and, indeed, enhance Scotland's reputation for education?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that everything is done that we can do to maintain the standards of teaching throughout Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the restricted and inadequate nature of Colston Road bridge which forms part of the main east-west link between the major roads A803 and A879; and if he will now consent to the long standing application of the local authority to commence the work of replacement.

No outstanding application for grant towards the cost of rebuilding this bridge is before me at present. But, if Glasgow Town Council, as highway authority, gives the scheme priority and renews its previous application, I will consider it in the light of the funds available.

Thank you very much.

asked the Secreetary of State for Scotland whether he will appoint an independent committee to examine and report on the question of financial assistance to university students.

This matter is at present under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

May I take it from that reply that it is likely that my right hon. Friend will consider the suggestion with favour, because no doubt he is aware that there are considerable anomalies and variations in the grants awarded to students, and that there is considerable concern in Scotland about the matter?

I do not think more should be taken from my reply than I have said, but I am very much aware of the great importance of this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the division of opinion in St. Andrews on the merits of his recent decision relating to new university buildings in the centre of the town: which is criticised on the particular grounds that the procedure of the committee of inquiry leading to that decision was not in accordance with the recommendations of the Franks Committee, and that the West Burn Lane site may not prove adequate for the future scientific needs of the university; and if he will make a full statement on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the joint opposition of the St. Andrews Town Council and the citizens of St. Andrews to his recent decision on the development of the university, and the fact that the proceedings which led up to this decision do not conform to the recommendations of the report of the Committee on Administrative Tribunals and Enquiries, now broadly accepted by the Government, he will order a new inquiry.

This decision was reached in the light of a ten-day public inquiry conducted by a senior and very experienced member of the Scottish Bar, in the course of which all aspects of the matter were fully examined. The decision was in line with the recommendations in his report, copies of which were sent to all the parties. The relevant statutes do not enable me now to reopen the matter. I am arranging to circulate a fuller statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While we shall look at the statement in HANSARD tomorrow, arising out of that answer, for which I thank my right hon. Friend, will my right hon. Friend answer this question? If the university stands by the desire to obtain the use of the site, and if the proprietors decline to negotiate with the university authorities for the use of the land, what provision is there in the Town and Country Planning Acts to bring this matter to a decision? In particular, is there any provision for a further public inquiry, if it is asked for, at which both sides can state their case with all the facts at their disposal?

I very much hope that the need for any such considerations will not arise, but if it does, the university would have to ask the town council to consider the compulsory acquisition of the land which is required by the university for university development. It would then be for the town council to submit a compulsory purchase order for the approval of the Secretary of State. This would be subject to the usual procedure about advertising and objections. Objections which amounted to objections to the use of the land in accordance with the recent decision would not, under the terms of the Statute, make it necessary to hold a further inquiry.

When the local authority has compulsorily acquired the site, under what terms and conditions will it be made available to the university?

That is another question, which I should not like to anticipate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, owing to the difference between Scottish and English law, the White Fish Authority has to limit aid on the capital cost of new developments to Scottish industrialists, as Scottish law does not acknowledge movables as security as is the case in England; and what action he proposes to take to overcome this handicap to the Scottish fishing industry.

I am aware that the law regarding security for loans in Scotland has caused some difficulty for the White Fish Authority and Herring Industry Board. I am exploring the matter with the Authority and the Board to see whether a solution can he found.

While appreciating the great difficulty in this matter, may I ask my right hon. Friend if it is not true that the Legal Department has been considering it for a very long time, and that it involves a much greater question than only the White Fish Authority, because it applies to all Scottish industry? Will my right hon. Friend therefore also investigate these wider possibilities?

As my hon. Friend has said, the widest possible implications are raised by her supplementary question, and I assure her that the difficulties arising out of the present situation have been looked at for a considerable period of years and that no clear solution has yet been found. We have explored the particular point raised in her first question with the Authority, and we are trying to see whether we can get round it in any other way.

As the right hon. Gentleman has said, this whole question of the floating charge raises very large considerations. Would the right hon. Gentleman consider remitting the question of the amendment of the law on the floating charge to the Scottish Legal Reform Committee?

I should like to think about that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set up a development board for the Highlands and Islands.

The Government are not convinced that it is necessary or desirable in the interests of Highland development to appoint such a body. But I am considering further representations which have been made to me on this subject.

I am glad to hear that the Secretary of State still has an open mind on this subject—[An HON. MEMBER: "Or half open?"]—or half open. If he comes down on this proposal, will he at least have a look at the existing bodies concerned with Highland development and consider whether they too have financial or general powers sufficient to carry out the many admirable recommendations that have been made? Will he also have a look at the overlapping which now exists?

One of my main concerns with the proposal is that it would be adding yet another body to the very large number of bodies already existing for this very purpose. Certainly, I will look into the question of overlapping, but it has been examined, and I do not think that at the moment it is too serious.

Surely, that is the very point—that there are far too many bodies in the Highlands looking into the question of Highland development? Is it not time that they were co-ordinated into some such body as the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) suggests?

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the annual rate of depopulation in the last few years has considerably exceeded the rate of the previous hundred years? Does not that show that present policies for the Highlands and Islands are inadequate and that some new policy is perhaps needed?

I am by no means convinced that adding another body to those already existing would be the solution to our problem. Indeed, I think it would be adding to our difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make available to hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies detailed information regarding local government finance or, alternatively, supply them with copies of the document published annually by the Municipal Treasurers' Association.

I am placing in the Library duplicated copies of a Summary of Financial Statistics prepared by my Department for 1955–56. I could not undertake to supply hon. Members with copies of a publication such as the Rating Review for which the Government is not responsible. This is published by the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants (Scottish Branch) and can be purchased from the Institute. I will ensure that there is a copy in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what dates he laid before Parliament the annual summary of Scottish local authority finance returns for the years 1950 to 1956 in accordance with the provisions of Section 298 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1947.

The Returns for 1950–51 were presented on 1st August, 1956, and those for the next three years on 18th February, 30th May and 29th October this year, respectively. Returns for later years are in preparation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that not only is he in default of the statutory provisions of the Act, but his failure to lay these statistical returns before both Houses of Parliament places his Scottish colleagues at a disadvantage with their English colleagues, whose statistics are always up-to-date? Will he do something about the matter?

As I think the hon. Member will realise from my reply, we are making a substantial improvement in the time taken to produce these returns. We did fall very badly behind, I agree, but now we have practically caught up with the figures made available to us by local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his consultations with the appropriate bodies have now been completed in respect of the three reports of the Law Reform Committee and when he intends to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations.

The consultations to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member on 21st May are proceeding. I am not therefore able to say when it will be possible to introduce legislation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in England they have already dealt with two similar reports? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman press on with this and rectify some of the matters in Scotland?

The matter is not entirely in my hands. I have asked various interested bodies for comments on the First and Third Reports, and I must await their observations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why there has been delay in giving effect to proposals contained in the Report on the Law of Succession in Scotland presented in 1950; what are the difficulties; and when he intends to introduce legislation.

The Mackintosh Committee recommended fundamental changes in the law of succession in Scotland, some of them in fields subsequently covered by the Royal Commission on Marriage and Divorce and the Hurst Committee on Adoption. It is necessary to consider the Mackintosh Committee's recommendations in the light of the findings of these later inquiries, and I am not yet able to say when it will be possible to introduce legislation on the law of succession.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is already seven years since the Report was presented, in 1950? Is that not long enough, in all conscience, to deal with the matter?

Subsequently the Royal Commission on Marriage and Divorce and the Hurst Committee on Adoption have reported. It would be unwise to proceed without linking up all the work of those bodies. That is going on at the moment.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that a former Lord President, Lord Cooper, stated some years ago that our present law of intestacy succession was a scandal and that something should be done about it? The two Committees to which the right hon. Gentleman referred reported a considerable time ago. What is the period of gestation of the Secretary of State on a Bill?

When dealing with such a subject as the law of succession in Scotland, I should think it would be fairly long.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses with valuations of £40 and under are vacant and available for renting.

The information asked for is not available.

Is it not the case that it is not available because there are no houses to let? Is it not the case that since the end of the war private enterprise has not provided a single house to rent but has taken away from the efforts of the local authority by selling houses vacated by rehoused tenants of the local authority?

I do not think the hon. Lady is right in saying that there are no houses to let coming into the market. If one watches the newspapers carefully one sees that there are. I do not accept the implications of the second part of the supplementary question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be in a position to reply to the Scottish Council, Development and Industry, on the subject of their memorandum on the reduction in defence work recently sent to him.

I shall reply as soon as possible, but my consultations with my colleagues are not yet complete.

While I make no complaint about the right hon. Gentleman taking time to consider fully his reply, may I ask whether he will be in a position to communicate the general nature of his reply to this House?

I think I should have to have notice of that question, because at the moment this is a matter of a letter between the Scottish Council and myself; but I will certainly consider what the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange for an impartial engineering survey of Scottish roads with a view to increasing their safety characteristics and also helping the tourist industry.

No, Sir. I do not think that such a survey would add usefully to the information already available about Scottish highway needs.

Does the Secretary of State mean by that rather depressing answer that he thinks that a high and uniform state of roadways of first-class quality is not necessary in Scotland? Is that what he means? If he does, will he think it over again? Will he not try to take the initiative in organising a conference of technical and other interests concerned in order to give us—what we have not got at present—a national picture of the needs of Scotland concerning her roads?

I can assure the hon. Member that my desire is to see the best possible quality of roads, from every point of view, throughout the whole of Scotland. I feel I should point out to him that we are getting on with the job. At the end of March work in progress and about to begin totalled about £l6 million, and the position is improving the whole time.

Would the right hon. Gentleman think again about this, because we set up several bodies to inquire into productivity? May I assure him that a large percentage of the benefits of productivity are being completely nullified by the terrible state of British roads?

That is rather a double question. Of course one is interested in improving our roads to the best possible standard as quickly as possible, but I believe that in the construction of roads related to the question of productivity we know as much in this country about new roads as any country does.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many radiographers are employed in the National Health Service in Scotland; and how many have left this service since the inception of the National Health Service apart from those who have retired on age grounds.

The number of radiographers employed in the National Health Service in Scotland at September, 1957, was 428. I am sorry that the number who has left the Service since the inception of the National Health Service is not available.

Is the Minister aware that a number of radiographers have left the National Health Service? Is he aware that there is a shortage of radiographers in Scotland and grave dissatisfaction among them? Is he further aware that these radiographers have had smaller increases in remuneration that almost any other workers in the public service and that the answer given by the Minister of Health yesterday will cause much greater dissatisfaction among them? Can the Secretary of State assure us that very soon there will be a meeting of the Whitley Council to examine these matters?

I would inform the hon. Lady that the numbers in Scotland are improving. They increased from 399 in March, 1955, to 428 in September, 1957. There is a steady but slow improvement. There is still a shortage, and everything is being done to overcome it. A claim for increased salaries was recently lodged by the Society of Radiographers, which I understand is before the appropriate committee of the Whitley Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many farms in Scotland were inspected under notices similar to those issued by Roxburgh subcommittee of the Border Agricultural Executive Committee which were found to be illegal; and

The notices referred to were, as I have already admitted, incorrect in form, but no illegality was involved in their issue. To obtain the information requested regarding the whole of Scotland would require a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. I have taken steps to eliminate the procedural fault in the future and have given an apology in the one case where complaint was subsequently made.

I can hardly accept from the right hon. Gentleman that it would be difficult to find this information, because the agricultural executive committees are bound to have these returns. In connection with the particular case in which the Scottish Office admits guilt, why did it take so long for the Secretary of State to do so? Why was it necessary for a long correspondence to ensue, not only with the farmer concerned, but between myself and the Scottish Office? Why did we have to have an article in the Farming News, written by a lawyer, before the Secretary of State admitted the guilt of the Scottish Office? Will he take good care in future to see that when farms have to be inspected he at least sends farmers to do that and not officials from the office who have no knowledge of farming?

As the hon. Member knows, I have taken a great deal of personal trouble and had many contacts with him over this very difficult matter. In finding how many wrong notices have been served all over Scotland. I should have to go back to 1948 when the original instruction was drafted. The first of the 21 inappropriate notices to which the hon. Member has referred was issued in June, 1951. This has taken a great deal of research. I can assure the hon. Member that I have taken steps to eliminate the procedural fault, and I hope there will not be similar difficulty again.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it rather peculiar that 20 of these notices should have been issued as late as November, 1955? In view of the fact that he has now admitted that all the notices were incorrect, is it not right that he should apologise to all the farmers concerned?

The question was not raised by any of the farmers concerned, nor did any of the farmers object to entry.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a list of members of nationalised boards appointed by him who also serve on the boards of public companies, listing the companies concerned.

Members of nationalised boards are listed in the standard works of reference, and any directorships held by them can also be readily ascertained from such sources.

Why will not the Secretary of State answer the Question? Quite a number of Questions put in this House can be answered by referring to books of reference. This is a specific question concerning members of boards for which he is responsible. Could he give the information? If he did, would he not find that certain members of the boards are also members of public companies?

While one always tries to help hon. Members who ask Questions. I really think that if Questions. are put down seeking information readily available elsewhere, it would take a disproportionate amount of time and work in the Department to meet those requests.

asked the Secretary of State far Scotland whether he will make a statement about the allocation of contracts for the supply of cast-iron products for the Lenthouse-Whiteinch tunnel.

I understand that Glasgow Corporation, on the advice of their consulting engineers, has agreed to a proposal of the main contractor that an offer by a Scottish firm to carry out part of the sub-contract for the cast-iron lining should not be accepted, though it was £21,000 less than the next lowest. The reasons were that the Scottish firm could not quote for all the items required, would have had to instal special equipment and alter its foundry lay-out, and had not carried out similar work before.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Scottish light-castings industry in Falkirk and Eastern Stirlingshire has been running on short time in recent years and has a very questionable future ahead of it? Does Ste realise that the people engaged in that industry will think that the sending of this contract across the Border is a disaster? Further, why could not the part of the contract which could be fulfilled—as in any case it was £21,000 below the next lowest tender—be accepted? Further, may I ask whether he himself, as Secretary of State, tries to exercise a general oversight over the placing of such contracts in order to make sure that work that can be done in Scotland is so done?

I would repeat my regret and my very real understanding of the feelings aroused by this contract going South. It would have been very much better could the contract have come to Scotland, but this is a highly technical problem. In reply to the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary, this was actually the case of a sub-contractor—there is Glasgow Corporation, a contractor and a sub-contractor—and my direct influence over that contract is very remote. But, of course, I try to see that as much work as possible is done in Scotland.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In case the products concerned should go to the wrong place, might I point out that it is the "Linthouse" Tunnel and not the "Lenthouse" Tunnel?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the firm in question probably has the greatest experience of iron in this country, being one of the original founders of the whole iron-founding industry? Is he further aware that it received the commendation of the Select Committee during the war for its excellence in economical production, and that this estimate was £21,000 below that of the other firm? Surely some investigation should have been made into the statement that it could not do the work, for the firm itself is quite confident that it could and that there was no justification for putting the contract South.

I have the greatest admiration for the firm in question, but the right hon. Gentleman will realise that this is a very technical problem which involves the whole fate of this tunnel.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The Secretary of State for Scotland has just announced that he discriminates unfairly against English firms. Are we not to be allowed a single supplementary on such an outrageous statement?

I do not think the Secretary of State said that. I understand that the complaint in the original Question, with which I am primarily concerned, was that the discrimination was against Scotland.

With the utmost respect, the Minister has said that he always did his utmost to see that contracts—public. Government, contracts—went to Scotland. Surely that is an outrageous statement.

Further to that point of order. May I ask whether it was not the case that I reminded the Secretary of State for Scotland and my hon. Friends and others that this was an industry in which there is short-time working, in which men are being laid off, and which needs work?

I do not think the Secretary of State, if he has tried to discriminate, has been successful in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to review his decision to refuse the 3 per cent. award made to the administrative and clerical staff of the National Health Service.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Health and I have undertaken to reconsider this decision after an appropriate interval of time. We have fixed no date, and in deciding when to review we shall take into account the economic situation and any other relevant circumstances.

Is the Minister aware that, apart from the grave injustice of the previous decision, there is very great ill-feeling amongst these workers? If he may reconsider it, would he bear in mind the effect on the National Health Service of the ban on overtime by these workers? Is he aware that there are already signs that the ban is having grave effects, and that some nurses—poorly paid workers—had to wait for their salaries because of this ban?

I am not aware that any ill effects have yet been felt by patients as a result of the ban on overtime. Obviously, when the time does come for review every consideration will be looked at.

Could the Secretary of State tell us what is the "appropriate interval of time"? Appropriate to what?

I did not say an appropriate interval of time. I meant an appropriate time for consideration in the light of the general economic conditions of the country.

Translate it into English.

Can the Minister really give the House no general idea as to when this revised consideration is to take place? Is it fair to leave the House in the air like this? Should he not give some consideration as to what period of time is likely to elapse?

No, Sir. Quite clearly, the position has to be watched extremely closely, and it would be quite wrong to attempt to forecast the future at this moment.