asked the Minister of Works whether he will consider installing better illumination in Hyde Park in the interests of the maintenance of public order.

I installed twenty-three additional lamp standards along the footpaths in the Park last summer with this object in view and the police inform me that this has resulted in a marked improvement.

In view of the success of those lights already installed, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the installation of further lights, especially in the Knightsbridge area on the ring road, might be helpful?

I will certainly consider the matter. I am inclined to think that we have enough illumination there at present, but I will certainly look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Works how many full-time employees are engaged on all aspects of the Spadeadam Rocket Project at the present time; and how many he estimates will be so employed on 1st June, 1959, 1960, and 1961.

On 26th January, 1959, 1,911 full-time employees were engaged on the Spadeadam site. This number is expected to decline fairly rapidly over the next two years. I can give no reliable estimate of future trends on so complex a project.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this area of Northumberland suffered from severe unemployment in the inter-war period and now faces further unemployment because of the closing of mines and collieries in the area? Will he consult his right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and do his best to ensure that the maximum amount of employment on a permanent basis is provided at this site?

There is no question of my providing permanent employment on this site. My responsibility there is to build this experimental station and to do so with due regard for economy.

asked the Minister of Works to what extent and for what reasons there are restrictions, other than those imposed by climate, on the value of pictures, furniture or other works of art used or displayed in Government Houses, Embassies or other official British residences abroad.

In general the only limiting factor is shortage of money. Within the resources available I try to ensure that the residences for which I am responsible, which do not include Government Houses, are suitably furnished and equipped.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that official residences are excellent show places? Is he aware that in many cases standards are deplorably low and that in a recent case some very fine pictures were withdrawn from the British Embassy in Buenos Aires and replaced with some second-rate stuff? Will he look into the question and, as far as money allows, do his best to make a major improvement?

I do not know exactly what happened at Buenos Aires. I rather think that that was one of the embassies where there were some pictures on exhibition which had come from the Tate Gallery. If that is so, there is a statutory obligation for them to be returned to the Tate Gallery after five years. In such cases, I generally replace them with such pictures as I have been able to buy and, naturally, what I buy for that purpose is very far inferior to the standard of the Tate Gallery.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this matter is much more important than the Question implies? The more one visits British embassies, the more one is struck by the paucity and poverty of the pictures shown. Could not my right hon. Friend make available some of the classic pictures at present in the cellars of museums, so that British representation in art can be properly understood abroad?

I am not convinced that there are so many pictures in the cellars of the national galleries. However, in any case, about two or three years ago, when legislation was being passed through the House to legalise the loan of pictures from the national galleries for the use of embassies, hon. Members insisted that the pictures should not be away from the national galleries for more than five years. It is as a result of that, I am afraid, that there has been some deterioration in the standard of pictures in British embassies.

asked the Minister of Works how it is proposed to commemorate the centenary of Big Ben on 31st May, 1959.

I understand that the clock mechanism first came into regular use on 31st May, 1859, and the bell itself—to which the term "Big Ben" is usually held to refer—on 11th July, 1859. I am consulting the authorities of the Palace as to what form of commemoration might be considered suitable.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the authorities to give consideration to the fact that Big Ben became a symbol of the mood of determination of our people during the war; that the clock and the superstructure is admired throughout the world, and that this centenary should be commemorated in a big way?

It is for that reason that we have in mind this centenary, but we have to carry the authorities of the House with us as to the form of commemoration.

Would it be appropriate for Big Ben to ring out the old Government and ring in a new one?

That would not be in accordance with its reputation for giving confidence to the world.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what information accruing from the flight of Russian satellites and space rockets has been transmitted from Russian to British official sources, in accordance with agreements entered into for the International Geophysical Year.

The International Geophysical Year scheme for the interchange of information about rocket and satellite investigations only involves publication of full scientific reports in literature of general availability within twelve months from the end of each experiment. The Royal Society has informed my noble Friend that so far sixteen preliminary Russian reports have been received by it, including all types of information covered by the scheme.

Can my right hon. Friend say what type of information we are receiving, and whether we have received information about the recent Russian space rocket flight?

As yet no information has been received about the scientific results obtained from the recent Russian space rocket, but preliminary results may be available by the end of February. As for the type of information provided, it deals with the ionosphere, cosmic rays, geo-magnetism, meteors, corpuscular radiation from the sun, solar flares, and biological information is also provided.

Is not it a fact that the Russians have honoured all their undertakings with regard to the International Geophysical Year and, further, have offered to pool resources in an international effort to send a rocket into outer space? Can the Minister say why the Government have not been more enthusiastic about accepting that offer?

I have no information that the Russians have done anything other than play their part in accordance with the agreements they made. I think that my reply showed that that is so. As for the recent space rocket, we are expecting some information by the end of February and, taking everything into account, time has not been wasted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he is aware that the Committee of Public Accounts has described certain evidence relating to the Jodrell Bank radio telescope given before it in Session 1956–57 as gravely inaccurate and misleading; what steps have been taken to remove misunderstanding and to submit more accurate evidence in the future; and if he will make a statement.

The evidence to the Committee of Public Accounts in 1956–57 was given in good faith by the Accounting Officer of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, on his understanding at the time. Later, further evidence of the extent of consultation between the engineering consultants and the Professor of Radio Astronomy came to light, which the Department brought to the notice of the Committee. It is the constant endeavour of the Accounting Officer and his staff to ensure that evidence given to the Committee is accurate. My noble Friend would not think it right to interfere with the content of such evidence.

I appreciate that reply, as far as it goes, but the Parliamentary Secretary will be aware that the men who do this kind of work have got where they are as a result of years of study and very hard work. They have got there on merit, and can do the work only on merit. In those circumstances, can he give an undertaking that in future they will not be subjected to this kind of treatment?

The Question is quite in keeping with the hon. Member's constant endeavour to see fair play, and I can assure him that in this instance the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research was not lagging behind. Immediately it was brought to the Department's attention that there had been some slight mistake in the evidence of the Accounting Officer the Department carried out a thorough investigation and brought the matter again to the attention of the Committee, after which a full statement was made putting the whole matter right.

Is the Minister aware of the great contribution which Jodrell Bank now makes in the technological field, and which it will continue to make in the future? Is not he aware that this is a national asset, for which the university authorities in Manchester should be adequately thanked, and that they should be assisted in purchasing it completely?

We recognise the great importance of Jodrell Bank. As the hon. Member will know, one of his hon. Friends is hoping to raise the matter in debate on Friday.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will make a statement on the progress made by his research department into the electrical heating of limited stretches of road which are particularly prone to accidents from ice in frosty weather.

There has been satisfactory progress so far on the experiments for the electrical heating of road surfaces. Experimental surfaces of this kind were laid at West Drayton, Middlesex, in 1956 and the results of these experiments and the advice of the laboratory are at the disposal of any highway authority that may wish to apply this method to particular stretches of roads. It can most readily be installed in a new road or on stretches due for resurfacing. The method has so far been confined to steep slopes.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Has he or his research department been consulted with regard to the electrical heating of the road at The Mound, in Edinburgh, and can he say what would be the cost of that project?

I do not have the cost in mind at the moment, but it is very near to the figure mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend himself in a recent debate. I believe that he said that the cost of installation would be about 30s. per square yard of road surface, and that the running costs, depending upon the climate, would be about 2s. 6d. a square yard in the winter. I think that those were the figures he gave, and they are not very far off the mark.

Is not it regrettable that this method was not employed on the Preston by-pass? Can the hon. Member say what would be the cost of installing this on the by-pass, now that it is under repair?

I do not think that that comes within the orbit of my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, on what roads in Scotland electrical methods of heating are being experimented with; and with what success.

No experiments with electrical heating are at present being undertaken on roads in Scotland. Plans are, however, being considered for a heating system to be installed during reconstruction of The Mound in Edinburgh where instruments will record temperatures and current consumption and so provide the Road Research Laboratory with valuable data. The laboratory has also assisted in the preliminary design of a heating system for the approaches to the proposed tunnel under the Clyde at Whiteinch, Glasgow.

Can the hon. Gentleman explain how the electrical system is switched on and off? Can he also say what encouragement is given to local authorities to use this system in the construction of new roads?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is interesting. The electrical heating is switched on by a thermostat which operates when the road surface temperature approaches freezing point. It is combined with a hydrostat, which means that current is switched on only when there is moisture on the road surface. If there is intense cold without the road being damp, no current is used. I think this an interesting invention, and we hope that the information conveyed in the form of Questions such as that put by the hon. Member, and the Answers to them, will assist in bringing the benefits of this invention to the notice of bodies which can make practical use of it.

Will the hon. Gentleman reply to the second part of my supplementary question?

How this knowledge is utilised is not the responsibility of my noble Friend, although this method of Parliamentary Question and Answer helps people to know what has been achieved by research.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what use is being made of modern geophysical methods by the Geological Survey of Great Britain.

The Geological Survey has for some years been interested in geophysical methods and for the past ten years has been collecting geophysical data concerning Great Britain from all possible sources. Gravity surveying has been conducted over much of Great Britain with varying degrees of detail. An area of 50,000 square miles of England and adjacent sea has been covered by airborne magnetic survey, and 4,000 square miles of Cornwall and Devon by airborne radiometric survey.

Is this geophysical survey done by the Geological Survey itself?

The Geological Survey carries out gravity, magnetic, electrical and some shallow seismic ground surveys, using its own staff.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what investigations have been carried out by the Road Research Laboratory on the relative safety of laminated and toughened glass for use in motor vehicles.

Toughened glass, which is fitted in about 90 per cent. of cars for the home market, is liable to disintegrate when struck by a stone. The laboratory's investigations have shown, however, that the occupant of a vehicle is seldom hurt by the glass fragments, as they have rounded edges, and that very few accidents are caused by the loss of vision which occurs when the glass shatters. On the other hand, laminated glass, when broken, has very sharp cutting edges, and injury is frequently sustained when passengers are thrown against windscreens of this type.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. In view of a rather calamitous recent experience on the roads, can any steps be taken to make glass less opaque when it is shattered?

That is the object of much of the research. In concert with the industry, the laboratory is examining with the British Standards Institution the specification for toughened safety glass, to see how far the fragment size of the glass particles can be increased so as to increase the amount of vision. I am told that possibly the best way of dealing with a windscreen of this kind is to put one's fist through it once it has been glazed over, but that requires a quick reaction.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, to what extent research at the National Physical Laboratory has shown that the earth is rotating irregularly.

Measurements to an accuracy of one second in three hundred years have been carried out at the National Physical Laboratory, on the so-called "atomic clock"; and these, when compared with astronomical measurements of time, show that the earth turns slightly faster during our summer and slower during our winter. A summer's day is about one thousandth of a second shorter than a day in mid-winter. Moreover, it appears that the earth has been slowing down for several years. There are now indications, however, that the earth is speeding up again.

While commenting what a delightful reply that was, may I ask my hon. Friend how much scientific manpower is used to acquire the information and provide the material for his wonderful Answer; what use is it, and why do we bother with it?

The work on the "atomic clock" takes the time of four men, two scientists and two assistants. The National Physical Laboratory is responsible in this country for our basic standards, and it must be capable of providing standards of measurement to an accuracy sufficient for the requirements of scientists and engineers. I suppose that means that if the laboratory is proposing to give information on which time has to be based, it must be accurate so far as the laboratory can make it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what research work the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has done on the protection of stored seeds from attack by insects.

The Pest Infestation Laboratory has shown that infestation of stored seeds may be prevented by the admixture of suitable insecticidal dusts with the seeds after harvest.

Is there any danger that this treatment may subsequently affect the germination of the seed?

Apparently not. That matter has been looked at very carefully. Tests have been made of the density of insecticide which can be so mixed and, with normal sensible use, there is no danger such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been make in predicting whether the soil at any proposed building site is likely to be unduly corrosive to buried metal and pipe work; and what station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is prepared to give advice on this matter.

Considerable progress has been made. Prediction is not a simple matter because it involves bacterial examination as well as chemical analysis of soils, and requires a close acquaintance with the influence of bacteria on the corrosion of metals. The National Chemical Laboratory can provide such a service. For example, it has made a soil examination recently for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority at its Win-frith Heath site, in Dorset.

Is it becoming customary for this advice to be sought?

Yes. At present people seek advice after corrosion has taken place. We hope that people engaged on important projects will realise that this information is available to them before pipes are inserted into the ground and that it will assist them in selecting the best type of metal to be used.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many retired teachers under the Scottish superannuation scheme are now over the age of 75 years, if men, and 70 years, if women.

At 31st March, 1958, the figures were 764 men and 4,850 women.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these superannuated teachers, and other superannuated people of the same generation, are living on meagre pensions which bear no relation to the present cost of living? Will he convey to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the need to do something for all these veteran pensioners?

I am aware of the situation. The position of these retired teachers cannot be considered apart from all other public service pensioners in similar circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the relaxation of credit restrictions, if he will now give a general direction to the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board to resume connections to ordinary consumers in the Highlands, including those in isolated areas.

I am advised that the Board has not stopped connecting ordinary consumers, and it is for the Board to decide what is practicable in the light of its statutory obligations.

Does the Secretary of State realise that the last twelve words in the Question are taken from the first Section of the Act which created this Board, and that there is a duty imposed on the Board to take power and light to these people? Is not it the responsibility of the right hon. Gentleman to see that the provisions of the Act are carried out?

As the hon. Member will know, there are a number of other duties laid on the Board and they have all to be read together. I am, of course, in constant touch with the Board regarding these matters.

Is the Minister aware that the Board has great difficulty in connecting up these isolated areas except at a tremendous cost; and, as most of the cost is charged to the consumers, it means that a lot of people are unable to have electricity even though it is offered to them.

I know that the question of cost is a great problem. That must be borne in mind in relation to the whole matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many, during the last ten years, disciplinary and other inquiries have been held into the administration of Her Majesty's Prisons in Scotland; and what were the reasons each of those inquiries was held and the result of each.

None, Sir.

Does the Secretary of State realise that many of these inquiries are made necessary because of the impossible task set for excellent prison governors who are forced to make prisoners do work for which they are unsuited? Will he take the opportunity afforded by the setting up of the inquiry yesterday to make its terms sufficiently wide to cover this kind of thing?

The hon. and learned Member and I are talking of different inquiries. I assume that his Question referred to inquiries into certain conditions in prisons, which is quite a different matter from that which will concern the inquiry referred to yesterday. The answer to his Question is "No".

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the petition relating to an increase in acts of violence in Glasgow, signed by 40,000 citizens of Glasgow and neighbourhood, and demanding stronger official action, which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Scotstoun; and whether he will make a statement.

The petitioners ask for more severe sentences for all crimes, and for corporal punishment in cases of assault with violence and of cruelty. While all crimes involving violence and cruelty are deplorable, and their increase during the past two years is most regrettable, I should point out that in Scotland crimes of violence are still less frequent than they were before the war. Sentences are a matter for the courts, and I am satisfied that they have adequate powers to deal with these offences. I should also add that Scottish courts have had no power for almost a century to impose corporal punishment for crimes of violence.

Does my right hon. Friend realise the depth of feeling which was represented in one city by what are now 41,000 signatures, protesting against the situation? He has already noted the question of corporal punishment. May I ask him whether the police in Glasgow are recruited up to strength and how his proposals, if any, for Scotland link up with those already submitted for England and Wales in a White Paper?

As to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, the police in Glasgow are at present just about 10 per cent. below strength, which is an improvement on the position a year ago. In Scotland we are, of course, studying with the same intensity as is being done in England and Wales, this whole question of prevention of crime, treatment of criminals and methods of avoiding the horrible situation which we have reached in post-war years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the disquiet in and about Aberdeen caused by recent escapes from Her Majesty's Prisons and of the inconvenience and delay caused to householders and to travellers by stoppage and by search without warrant; and what steps he is taking to minimise this disquiet, inconvenience and delay having regard to public safety.

I greatly regret the inconvenience caused to members of the public by the action taken after the five escapes made last year from Peterhead Prison. At the prison security measures have recently been further strengthened.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that, extensive as are his powers, he is not providing the peace and security to which law-abiding citizens in the county are entitled? Will he do something to see that they get that peace and security?

I think the hon. and learned Member knows that recently further steps have been taken to improve the security arrangements at Peterhead Prison. We are always considering how we can make the security arrangements as good as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number and manner of escapes during each of the last ten years of prisoners from Her Majesty'3 Prisons in Scotland, and the length of period during which each of those prisoners remained at large; and how each was dealt with on recapture.

As the Answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Again I put to the Secretary of State the same supplementary question that I put to him when he answered my Question No. 17. Does he realise that many of these escapes are due to the fact that excellent prison governors are set the impossible task of making prisoners do work for which they are unsuited, work which is unproductive and unconstructive, thus forcing the prisoners to escape from prison?

I do not agree with the implications in the hon. and learned Gentleman's supplementary question. I appreciate his point. The whole matter of suitable work will be looked into by the Council set up yesterday to advise on the treatment of offenders.

Is it not still the desire of the Tory Party to set the people free?

Will the Secretary of State take the opportunity of making the forthcoming inquiry—

Order. I called the hon. and learned Member because I thought that he was proposing to give notice that he intended to raise the matter again.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now state the conditions under which the larger farmers will receive marginal agricultural production grants this year.

The procedure and operations to be assisted will remain materially the same as for the 1958 cropping season. For the rest I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Members for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) and for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 27th January.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if there is a flat rate of 50 per cent. for marginal farmers or is there to be a good deal of discretion for those who have marginal farms only without low ground farms? Will they get more than those who have marginal land farms with low ground farms?

There will be discretion by the A.E.C.s, but the average will be 50 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of his recent decision on marginal aid payments to farmers in Scotland, if he will now issue a special leaflet explaining, in detail, how farmers will now qualify for these payments.

No, Sir. The operation of this Scheme is already well known to the farmers concerned, and the agricultural executive committees notify farmers on the marginal lists individually of the conditions and invite applications for assistance.

If this is so well known to everyone concerned, how does the Minister explain the special committee of Conservative Members which has been set up to watch him? Does not he realise that his latest somersault has created a great deal of bewilderment and uncertainty in Scotland, and that farmers want to know exactly what he intends to do?

I think that I have given a very clear Answer to the Question which the hon. Gentleman asked.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that an application for grant under the Agriculture (Improvement of Roads) Act, 1955, recommended by the Roads Committee of Berwickshire County Council, has been turned down by his Department on the ground that the road in question forms an access to one farm only, albeit an important live-stock rearing area; and whether he will reconsider this decision which runs counter to the wording of the Statute.

I am aware of this application, but have been unable to approve it as according to my information the road in question is essentially an individual farm access road. It is not in our view in accordance with the purpose of the 1955 Act to make grants in such cases.

Are we to assume from that reply that, because a livestock rearing area happens to belong to one person only, he is to be excluded from all benefit under the Agriculture (Improvement of Roads) Act, 1955? That was not my impression when I voted for the Bill.

It has been the practice ever since that Act was passed not to consider a single access road as eligible for that particular grant.

As a point of interest, can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how many miles of road have been covered under this Act?

I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman will have to put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has received from the Western Regional Hospital Board regarding the progress made towards building the new maternity hospital for Lanarkshire.

The new nurses' home is now in use and, as a temporary measure pending the completion of the main block, thirty extra maternity beds have been provided in accommodation previously occupied by nurses. The contracts for the main block have been let, the foundations have been completed, and the structural steel work is at present being erected.

Is the Secretary of State aware that it was not the nurses' home which we were promised, but a new maternity hospital? Have tenders been accepted, when will the work start, and will the right hon. Gentleman speed it up, because it is much needed to give employment in this area of very heavy unemployment?

If I understood the hon. Lady correctly, the information which I gave in the latter part of my main Answer was the information she wanted. Contracts for the main block have been let, the foundations have been completed and the constructional steel work is at present being erected.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what survey he has made, or what instructions he has given, regarding plans that would help to relieve unemployment in Scotland, particularly with respect to expansion of works by local authorities or nationalised industries.

I have been in touch with local authorities and other public bodies in Scotland with a view to bringing forward to this year capital projects which under previous plans would not have started till later. As a result I have so far approved projects estimated to cost about £6·5 million. Work has started on some and will start on others as soon as possible.

Will the Secretary of State explain why this Report which would give so much employment lies on his shelf? The Bowes Committee Report on Inland Waterways recommended the infilling of the Union, Forth of Clyde and Monkland Canals and redevelopment and culverting with a view to clearing up these areas. This would give immediate work. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is five years since we had a letter from the Department of Health saying that this work would receive high priority? What is the right hon. Gentleman doing about this Report, which has been lying before him for six months?

As I think the hon. Lady knows, the Minister of State has been in close consultation with Coatbridge Town Council as to the possible measures to be taken there. All these matters are being examined. The broad question which was asked about the Report raises very wide issues indeed.

That is not good enough

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered a letter from the Eye-mouth Harbour Trustees recommending a scheme for a new harbour entrance which would allow fishing boats to enter and leave the harbour at all times and tides; and whether he has yet replied to this letter.

The trustees wrote to me on 21st January proposing a scheme which they estimated would cost £376,000. I am considering their proposals and have not yet replied to their letter.

In considering this matter, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that improvement of the entrance to the harbour at Eyemouth would be a benefit that would be felt not only in Eyemouth but all the way up and down the coast?

I am very conscious of the importance of that harbour.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider making a broadcast to farmers in Scotland outlining Her Majesty's Government's long-term policy for agriculture in Scotland.

I am always willing to consider constructive suggestions, but I think the hon. Member will find that the Government's long-term policy for agriculture in Scotland, as for other parts of the United Kingdom, contained in the Agriculture Acts of 1947 and 1957 is already well known.

Is the Minister so out of touch with agricultural opinion that he does not realise that his latest proposals have been called a "breathing space" and a "stay of execution", and is that his definition of a long-term programme?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I am not out of touch with agricultural opinion in Scotland at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he appointed the commissioner to inquire into the site of the new buildings proposed to be erected by the University of St. Andrews; when the commissioner held his inquiry; and whether the commissioner has yet reported.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the proposed extension of St. Andrew's University.

The commissioner was appointed on 14th August. The inquiry began on 23rd September and concluded with an inspection of sites on 11th October. The commissioner's report has recently been received, and I hope to announce my decision shortly.

Has not this whole procedure taken unusually long? Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that he promised to publish the report, and will it be published shortly?

It will be published in due course after my decision is made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a question of very great national concern and that a speedy decision is very important? In view of the fact that the Government have recently announced great steps for the progress of education, will he translate those words into actions by producing a speedy decision in the matter?

I am very anxious to get this decision out as quickly as possible. It was a big task for the commissioner appointed to hold the inquiry, and the matter needs very careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to apply closing orders or demolition orders to property at Burhill, Springboig.

Under the Housing (Scotland) Acts this is entirely a matter for the local authority.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these houses have been abandoned and that the chief sanitary inspector for Lanarkshire is rather restricted in providing alternative accommodation for these people until Lanarkshire County Council provides housing accommodation? Will he do something to try to speed up the allocation by Lanarkshire County Council of houses to meet the needs of this area?

The allocation of houses is the responsibility of the local authority. If the hon. Gentleman will send me information about particular points which he has in mind, I will be very glad to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can give a starting date for a new Roman Catholic school at Carmyle, Lanarkshire.

The education authority hopes to start work on this building in September, 1960.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the education authority promised, four and a half years ago, that a school would be built there within three years? Further, is he aware that the 230 children concerned have to cross a road where there is no speed limit, to get to a school which is two miles away? Is not that a rather serious situation?

I should require notice of the second part of the supplementary question, because it is a different issue. I would point out that the preparation of plans and other preliminary work have to be completed first, and they are being pressed on with as fast as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that the study and teaching of geography and the supply of qualified geography teachers is not further adversely affected through the loss in status and popularity of geography among higher leaving certificate candidates because of the Scottish Universities Entrance Board's refusal to recognise a higher geography pass as a higher ranking pass for entry group purposes.

There is no evidence that geography has suffered any loss in status and popularity in the schools as a result of the regulations for university entrance, which came into force in 1955.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is impossible to decide whether these subjects have lost popularity or not, in view of the fact that they are compulsory subjects? At the same time, is he aware that teachers throughout Scotland are complaining that because of the practical consideration in a child's mind that the higher geography or higher history pass will not count as higher equivalence for the purpose of university entrance, this is bringing the two subjects into contempt, and that well-intentioned teachers are warning children in the later classes not to concentrate too much on those subjects of history or geography because they will not get credit for them at the higher level?

The figures do not bear out what the hon. Gentleman says. They show that the number of candidates presented for geography in the higher and lower grades examinations together was 4,619 in 1958 and 3,750 in 1955. The figures are up.

In view of the complete misunderstanding of the Question by the right hon. Gentleman, I must give notice that I will raise this matter as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the large volume of opinion in Scotland in favour of another new town to deal with Glasgow's overspill problem; and if he will undertake to designate such a new town.

I am aware that this opinion has been expressed in certain quarters, and, as I have said before, the possibility of another new town at the appropriate time is not ruled out. At the present stage in the overspill operation, however, this would be a wasteful diversion of experience and effort, which would not, in my opinion, hasten the resettlement of industry and families.

Is the Secretary of State aware that I cannot appreciate what he means by "in certain quarters"? Is he aware that building consultants and architects who are directly or indirectly involved in the Glasgow overspill problem are unanimous and emphatic in stressing the need for further overspill? For the past two years the right hon. Gentleman has been saying that another new town will come along at the appropriate time. When?

It is much too early to say. We are anxious to get on with the very complicated overspill operation, which architects and everyone else want, as fast as we can before we complicate the issue by plans for another new town.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by saying that building another new town now would lead to dispersal of effort? Has not the right hon. Gentleman available to him in Scotland, not only in the great local authorities but in the existing new town corporations, staff and other people who could proceed with work on a third new town, if it were designated?

I am advised that our resources are very fully strained with the Cumbernauld new town and other overspill operations in progress, and that we would be well advised to get on with what we are doing as well as we can, and to consider this other proposal in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake to have a full inquiry made into all aspects of the licensing laws and drunkenness in Scotland.

As my hon. Friend the Member for Lanark (Mr. Patrick Maitland) was informed on 21st November, 1958, the investigation by the Social Survey Division of the Central Office of Information into the continuing increase in the number of offences of drunkenness will extend to Scotland. I have no statement to make about an inquiry into the Scottish licensing laws.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the archaic condition of existing legislation which is being flagrantly abused in Scotland? It is grossly outmoded. Does he not also recognise that the Churches, the liquor trade and a host of other organisations, all stress the need for an inquiry of this kind? Dealing with this great social problem is beyond party politics. Why does the right hon. Gentleman shirk his responsibility?

I am very well aware that there are strong views held on this subject, in some cases contradictory views. It is a question of judgment of how best to achieve the best results and whether an inquiry is the best answer.

I beg to give notice that, in view of The unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reason was given to him, directly or indirectly, by British Nylon Spinners, Limited, when the firm refused to consider any site in Scotland offered by Her Majesty's Government for its new factory.

The information I have been given is that the company reached the conclusion that any location in Scotland would be too far away from its raw material supplies and markets and would face it with problems of administrative and technical control.

Is the Minister aware that this is a classic case where we were unable to get various industries to diversify Scottish industry, because of arguments of this kind? Will he take further steps and make representations to the Board of Trade to persuade it to lower factory rents or in some other way provide for offsetting the economic disadvantage of high transport costs from Scotland?

I must make it clear that from the outset of negotiations with the company the Board of Trade put before it sites in Scotland as well as in other places. The second supplementary point of the hon. Gentleman does not arise directly, although I admit it arises indirectly, out of the Question.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this company would appear to have chosen a site which is in absolute contradiction to Government policy about the location of industry? Why did this firm go to Gloucestershire? Is there unemployment or labour there and is it the most appropriate place for an establishment of this size?

That is a supplementary question which would more appropriately be put to the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the second and final Report of the Scottish Health Services Council on mental health legislation will be published.

I understand that this Report will be presented to the Scottish Health Services Council later this month. I cannot say anything about publication at this stage, since it would not be proper for me to anticipate what action the Council may recommend to me after it has considered the Report.

May I take it from what the right hon. Gentleman has just said that the Report will be published once it is clear what course of action the right hon. Gentleman proposes to pursue?

No. The point is that the Report was prepared by a committee of the Health Services Council, and that until that committee has reported to the Council it would not be proper for me to pass any comment on its publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to state when house building will commence at Leith Fort.

Boring operations are now in progress as a necessary preliminary to the building of high flats on this site, and planning work is progressing. In view of the importance of the scheme, however, and the careful and detailed planning which its development demands, it may be some months yet before tenders can be invited.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is about time that some houses were built in Leith Fort? Will he do what he can to expedite them, because it is more than two years since the Corporation obtained this site?

I am well aware of the hon. Gentleman's concern about this, and of the concern felt locally. We are doing everything we can to help the Corporation to get on with the job.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the recent closure of several linen mills, and the continuing difficulties of the linen trade, whether he will advise National Health Service authorities and other public bodies to encourage their purchasing officers to direct their attention to the desirability of increased purchases from the Scottish linen trade.

I share the hon. Member's concern about these closures. Hospital authorities are always glad when they can buy in Scotland, and I know that they do in fact make substantial purchases from Scottish linen mills. There are great difficulties, however, in the suggestion that public authorities should purchase from particular sources regardless of price and other considerations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Fife is particularly concerned in this problem, since there is, in any case, limited scope for the employment of women in Fife, and the recent closure of textile mills there has aggravated the problem? Further, is he aware that when we approached the Board of Trade in connection with the matter mentioned in Question No. 37 and suggested that British Nylon Spinners be offered Donibristle, which is one of the only sites in the country fulfilling all the conditions required by British Nylon Spinners—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] yes—the firm did not seriously consider that site? Will the Minister therefore consult the President of the Board of Trade with a view to making the whole of Scotland a scheduled area under the 1958 Act?

I genuinely appreciate the hon. Member's concern about the situation, but I do not think it would be appropriate to go into the wider issues that he has raised in his supplementary question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when work on the Eoligarry road, in the Isle of Barra, is to begin; the estimated cost; the contribution towards it of his Department; and the number of men to be employed.

I hope that the building of this road will start as soon as possible after the details of a suitable scheme have been worked out with Inverness County Council. The estimated cost of the scheme and my total contribution towards it cannot be determined until these details are settled, but road grant of 50 per cent. will in any event be payable. I understand that about 25 to 30 men may be employed on the work.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's own expressed willingness to help on this road, which has now been on record since the summer of last year, will he approach the county council and make it clear that he is prepared to offer assistance as soon as the county council is prepared to accept it?

I understand that this road is now first in the county council's list of assisted roads schemes, and I hope the matter will move fast now.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what decision he has reached about the revised plans sent to him by Inverness County Council for a causeway at Baleshare, Isle of North Uist.

The necessary technical examination of the revised plans is not yet complete and I am not in a position to take any decision about this project.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the fact that the gin trap will be legal, after next May, only for trapping foxes, what steps he proposes to take to indemnify persons in whose traps, set for the exclusive purpose of taking foxes, or, in certain conditions, otters, other animals such as martens are accidentally caught.

In the circumstances envisaged by the hon. Member, I see no reason to suppose that the person who set the gin trap so as to kill either foxes or otters would be convicted of an offence against the Pests Act, 1954.

How is the right hon. Gentleman going to make that process a legal one when he has already declared it illegal? How is he to prevent other wild animals going into traps which are supposed to be used only for foxes? That is the position he has created. Is he going to put a notice on the traps "For Foxes Only"? Would not he think it better to follow the example of England and abolish these traps altogether?

I think the hon. Member has got a little muddled about the way traps are used. His fear is that people would be wrongly prosecuted for breaking the law. In fact, I understand it would be a perfectly good defence to say that the trap was set for foxes or otters, as the case may be—[Laughter.] Perhaps the hon. Member would wait a moment. It is quite clear that one uses that type only for foxes, with special bait, or it is set in a fox's lair. There is no difficulty such as he is putting in this matter.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider transferring the duties of the Minister of Supply, in respect of micro-biological research, to the Minister of Health.

No, Sir. This research is undertaken for defence purposes. It therefore seems appropriate that it should continue with the Ministry of Supply. Any discoveries which have a bearing on general medicine are, however, made available to the medical profession, usually by publication in a suitable technical journal.

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is widespread disquiet following the statement by an eminent and responsible civil servant and scientist that this Department at Porton is manufacturing germs for plague, cholera, polio and other dread diseases? If it is purely to defend the people's health, should not it be taken over by the Ministry of Health?

No, Sir. The only work done at Porton is to produce these bacteria in such quantities as to assess the threat which their use in war might represent and to aid research in providing defence against them. The material which may result from this work is made available through the various technical journals and I think this system works satisfactorily.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Minister of Supply last week succeeded in conveying the impression that the danger from bacteriological weapons was grossly exaggerated and that they were only conventional weapons, like many others? Is he aware that many experts regards them as at least as dangerous as nuclear weapons? Will he instruct the Minister to make a serious study of measures required for an international agreement on bacteriological disarmament?

I do not think the right hon. Member has given a fair account of what my right hon. Friend said. I shall, however, study, as I naturally do, anything the right hon. Member has said; or, if he wished to see me on the matter, I should be very ready to consult with him.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consult the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Independent Television Authority and other authorities concerned, with a view to arrangements being made so that people can see and hear the proceedings of the House of Commons.

I think this is really not a matter for the Government as such. I am not aware of any general desire among hon. Members for the televising of our proceedings.

While not expecting a further reply, may I ask if the Prime Minister will bear in mind that some of us have seen great changes in this House?

Not enough.

There was a time when it was beneath the dignity of hon. Members even to agree to amplification, but since then we have seen a very fine television broadcast of the Opening of Parliament. It is to be hoped that the nation will take note of that in order that at least at Question Time, when Parliament is dynamic, the nation can see what is going on.

I was very glad indeed that the House, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Party agreed with me that it was desirable to have the Opening of Parliament made available through television to the whole of our people. It was a great historic ceremony and one which I think was eminently suitable. Whether the House would feel that its ordinary proceedings should be so treated is, as I say, not really a matter for the Government but for the House as a whole. I do not know whether Question Time is more dynamic than other times, but I can see the hon. Member's purpose and it would suit Ministers. We could take our pick between "Criss Cross Quiz" and "We Want an Answer". It might help me to discover "What's My Line?", and if you, Mr. Speaker, were agreeable to a sufficient number of supplementary questions, the hon. Member might then be entitled to "Ask Me Another", but I think it is a matter for the House to decide. I should suggest, if it is not being very old-fashioned, that this matter might be discussed through the proper and ordinary channels.

Is the Prime Minister aware that his last effort in this matter was not exactly related to the point put by my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ellis Smith)? While I have every respect for my hon. Friend, nevertheless there are a number of us on this side of the House who would think it a mistake if the House of Commons were to be broadcast and televised, on the ground that there would be a danger that we should be talking to the microphones and the cameras instead of to each other? Is he aware that some of us think it profoundly important that debate in this House should be debate in this House and not debate on the basis of what the public outside would like?

I have every sympathy with that view, but I am bound to say, if I give my personal opinion, that that was exactly the argument which was presented against the publication of HANSARD.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will receive a delegation from the County Borough of Oldham and the Urban District of Chadderton, representing employers, employees and unemployed, and the municipalities, to discuss unemployment in the area.

My colleagues have kept me fully informed about the present difficulties in Oldham and the other cotton towns, and shortly before Christmas I had the advantage of a long discussion with a number of hon. Members representing constituencies in Lancashire and Cheshire. While it might be more appropriate for a delegation of this kind to see a Minister from the Board of Trade, I would always be ready to receive a deputation representing the cotton industry as a whole.

Is the Prime Minister aware that Lancashire will appreciate that Answer and be grateful for it because the programme in which we in Oldham are interested is "Lift Up Your Hearts" and "What's My Line?" is increasing unemployment?

The hon. Member has been very fair in the matter. I think he would understand that it would be difficult for me to see deputations from several constituencies. In the last few months I have been in very close touch with the Cotton Board. I attended the meeting at Harrogate. On the Cotton Board both sides of the industry are represented. There were long discussions in the big meeting and there were smaller meetings of both sides. I should be very happy to have further discussions if they can be organised on an industrial basis, which I think better than a constituency basis.

Can the Prime Minister say whether any talks are taking place between representatives of the Government and representatives of the cotton industry about some special redundancy scheme in the spinning section of the industry?

A claim for the compensation scheme is being heard by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal at the moment, and therefore perhaps I should not comment on it until the award is made. On the larger question of reorganisation, I hope to make a statement very shortly.