asked the Minister of Works what changes he proposes to make in the architects' department of his Department to enable it to draw up plans for the proposed employment exchange in Kirkby in a period shorter than the two years stated by him to be necessary.

None, Sir. This is a large project involving a number of Departments, and the time required for consultations with the planning authorities and the detailed work essential for a firm price tender is not excessive. There is not sufficient urgency about this job which would justify me in giving it priority in the programme of work.

Yes, Sir, but is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that Sir Christopher Wren designed St. Paul's Cathedral in less time than it has taken his Department to design a small employment exchange in Kirkby? Has he not plans in his Department which can be used in such cases? Is he aware that when we were in power we had the drawings for this Chamber and the surrounding buildings done in far less time? Why does he say that there is no urgency, when we have heavy unemployment in this very area?

I very much doubt whether my predecessor did in fact prepare plans for St. Paul's Cathedral in such a very short time. In the two years which we require, we need ten months for planning consultations with the three Government Departments which are to occupy this large building, and for preparing sketch plans; eight months for the working drawings; three months for preparing the bills of quantities; and three months for inviting tenders from contractors. It is our general policy to plan buildings in advance to meet the requirements of occupying Departments and I do not regard this as being an excessive period of time. There is no urgency about this at the present time since the Departments have adequate accommodation.

Yes, but as the right hon. Gentleman really thinks it takes all these periods of time to do the work of designing an employment exchange for which designs must be on the stocks, how do the Government propose to solve the unemployment problem in areas like this? On the right hon. Gentleman's argument it will take even longer to build the factories which the Government are so far failing to divert to the Development Areas?

We do not build all employment exchanges to the same design. We consider the site. In this case, as I have said, we are accommodating the Ministry of Labour and National Service, the National Assistance Board and the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance all in the same building.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Socialist Government, who were responsible in 1931 for getting unemployment to the highest figure ever known in this country, ever made any attempt to extend the employment exchange of this town at that time? [Interruption.]

Mr. Hayman.

On a point of order. Since the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr. Dudley Williams) wanted to know whether we—

That does not sound like a point of order. We seem to be expanding a Question on an employment exchange to a discussion of the question of employment. I think it was originally asked by the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson). Mr. Hayman.

The hon. Member told a lie, Mr. Speaker.

On a point of order. The hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) has just stated that my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Dudley Williams) told a lie. Cannot the hon. Member be reprimanded and made to withdraw that expression?

I did not hear it said. Was it said? Did the hon. Member for Accrington accuse another hon. Member of telling a lie?

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I did not use the proper Parliamentary expression. I intended to say that the hon. Member was guilty of a terminological inexactitude.

The hon. Member ought to make a manly withdrawal, if he used that expression.

Further to that point of order. Has it ever been the custom of the House for the Chair to take notice of muttered remarks, unjustified remarks, and contradictions from the other side, when they were not made in speeches?

The Chair listens to as much as it can hear and sometimes to as little as it can hear. I did not hear anything wrong in what was said. Mr. Hayman.

rose—

May I have my apology, Mr. Speaker?

On my original point of order. Is it in order for the hon. Member for Exeter to ask why things were not done in this town eight years ago when the town has been in existence for only four years?

No, it was not in order, and that is why I did not permit the Minister to answer it.

May I ask a question, Mr. Speaker? As the hon. Member for Exeter made a complete misstatement of fact, and as that has been repeated—[HON. MEMBERS: "What about the lie"?]—so often in this House, it is time it was nailed. It is a lie, and he knows that it is not true.

The hon. Member is just making things worse. He ought to withdraw if he accused another hon. Member of telling a lie. He ought to withdraw the word.

Withdraw.

When you first chided me, Mr. Speaker, I did withdraw it in favour of the traditional phrase "terminological inexactitude".

Mr. Hayman.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will arrange for the lift serving the Basement, the Ground Floor, the Library Floor, the Committee Floor and the Upper Committee Floor to be manned by an attendant on sitting days from 9 a.m. until the House rises.

This lift is at present manned from 10 a.m. till 7 p.m. on sitting days.

My right hon. Friend is not convinced that the further cost which would be involved by increasing the hours that this lift is manned, would be justified. The hours were extended in April, 1958, in an endeavour to meet the representations of the hon. Member.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell his right hon. Friend that he has grossly insulted 67 hon. Members who have desks on the Upper Committee Corridor and that it is a gross and intolerable strain upon us to have to walk up the steep stairs in this House when the lift is out of action; and, further, would the hon. Gentleman remind his right hon. Friend that he is acting like an old Primrose League lady who is frightened of becoming bankrupt?

I am sorry the hon. Gentleman has used these extreme terms. I can assure him that my right hon. Friend is giving close attention to this matter because he wants to mitigate any difficulties in which hon. Members may be placed.

asked the Minister of Works whether he has now decided in what manner he will celebrate the centenary of Big Ben.

asked the Minister of Works what proposals he now has for celebrating the Big Ben centenary.

It has been decided to hold an exhibition with a display of models and other exhibits connected with Big Ben and the Clock Tower. This will be held in the Westminster Jewel Tower, which is within a few hundred yards of Big Ben, and itself is one of the last remaining fragments of the medieval Palace of Westminster. The exhibition will continue throughout the summer, during which time the Clock Tower will be floodlit. The opening on 3rd June will follow a ceremony in New Palace Yard, in the vicinity of the Clock Tower, to which Members of both Houses will be invited. The exhibition will be open to Members that afternoon and to the public on the following day.

As we recognise that Big Ben holds a special place in the minds and hearts of many people throughout the world, the Palace authorities are providing certain facilities for access to the Clock Tower for Press and film coverage and I understand that the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. will be featuring the centenary in broadcasts.

The Central Office of Information is arranging, on behalf of the Overseas Departments, that these events will be celebrated in official cinema and television news reels in many countries, both Commonwealth and Foreign; a short film will also be prepared and will be distributed in a number of languages.

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, you have reflected before now on the length of supplementary questions. May we have any comment upon the length of an Answer of that sort, which might well have been a Ministerial statement?

The length of an Answer depends to some extent upon the nature of the Question. If an hon. Member anticipates that a long Answer is necessary to his Question, he should put it down as a Question for a Written Answer.

May I say that I did not know the length of the Answer and that I was asking for information and not seeking to give it as so many hon. Gentlemen opposite do?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works as representing the Lord President of the Council, what official contribution is made to the British Hat and Allied Felt-makers Research Association; and upon what basis this contribution is calculated.

An annual grant is made by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to this research association, graduated according to the industrial contributions received from member firms. For the year ending 31st March, 1958, a grant of £4,725 was paid on a contribution of £6,618.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether this small research association is the only one in the country carrying out research intended to protect road users against head injuries? Does he consider its financial resources sufficient for that purpose?

As the hon. Member knows, the production of headgear which will protect people from the worst effects of road accidents is not the main reason for this particular research. Indeed, the crash helmets used by motor cyclists are the ones which comply with the British standard specification, not just this felt referred to by the hon. Member.

Is not it true that in Germany, in France and in the United States of America much greater resources are devoted to this purpose than in this country?

For the grants to this association, the ratio of contributions from the Government as against subscriptions from the associate members is higher than the average. Normally it is £4 for every £10 and in this case the grant is £6 for £10.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will make a special grant to the British Hat and Allied Felt-makers Research Association, in view of its development of No. 11 anti-shock felt now used by a Warwickshire firm, the name of which has been supplied to him in the production of protective caps for motorists and other categories of road users.

This was recently explored by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and rejected on the grounds that the circumstances did not warrant such special treatment. If, however, industry wishes to increase its subscription to this work in the research association, these subscriptions will he matched by Government grant on the basis of £6 for every £10 in the normal way. It is also open to the council of the research association to allot such priority as it sees fit to such an item on its research programme.

Has the hen. Gentleman considered that this is an industry of small manufacturers who find it difficult to raise large sums of money and that the research association is in need of technical equipment and trained personnel?

Very likely for that reason the grant is £6 for every £10, compared with the average of £4 for £10.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, to what extent the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has co-operated with the British Hat and Allied Feltmakers Research Association in the production of an anti-shock felt to be incorporated into caps or hats for the better protection of motorists and other road users against head injuries; whether such a felt has now been produced; and what protection it can give.

The Road Research Laboratory of D.S.I.R. was consulted by a hat manufacturer and suggested that felt might be used in protective hats. The manufacturer and the British Hat and Allied Feltmakers Research Association, who are grant-aided by D.S.I.R., have cooperated with the Laboratory to select a quality, density and thickness of felt that would be most satisfactory for anti-shock protection. While no precise assessment can be made of the protection afforded by this felt, a protective cap or hat incorporating the felt would be of some value, especially in minor accidents. It must however be stressed that such felt hats are no substitute for the motor cyclist's crash helmet.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is no intention of saying that the protective felt cap or hat is a substitute for a crash helmet, but that it is clear that it provides 60 per cent. protection against a 4,000 lb. impact? Can he say whether that has a scientific and medical basis?

Research has so far recorded that this felt certainly does offer some protection. There is no question that it is short of grant-in-aid support and thus prevented from making that result more widely known.

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 investigated the use of a polythene tent to cover a house-building site in Sussex, thereby saving over 200 man-hours which would otherwise have been lost in wet weather; and if he will make a statement.

The Building Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has studied various methods of covering building work under construction and is aware that it is possible to do so both effectively and economically, and we hope that this Question will draw attention to this facility so that builders can use their own discretion as to its use. It is, of course, a matter for individual builders, in the light of local conditions, to decide what use to make of the knowledge available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, when the Smith Mission, headed by Mr. James Smith, Director of the International Co-operation Administration, which administers United States foreign aid, visited British Territories in Africa; what was its purpose; what consideration is now being given by Her Majesty's Government to its first conclusions; and if he will make a statement about the possible lines of development of this new example of Anglo-American co-operation.

This mission, of the United States International Co-operation Administration, visited Africa in November, 1958, to explore the possibilities of greater utilisation of the scientific resources of the United States, and other countries, in attacking the problems of under-developed territories, particularly in tropical Africa. The mission was naturally anxious to see the work in this field being carried on in British Territories. Her Majesty's Government welcomed their interest and, at the invitation of the Americans, two British scientists were attached to the party.

In the United States of America, I.C.A. has the advice of a distinguished panel of scientists and experts, which has been established by the United States National Academy of Sciences under the chairmanship of Dr, W. Albert Noyes. My noble Friend the Lord President understands that this committee is expected to report to I.C.A. in June. In this country my noble Friend has appointed a panel of scientists, chosen for their experience in this field, under the chairmanship of Sir Alexander Todd, to advise generally in this field, and collaborate with the American panel. Her Majesty's Government welcome this new example of Anglo-American collaboration.

While joining with my hon. Friend in the welcome he has given this new arid enlightened American approach, may I ask if he can say in what directions this most important development is likely to take place?

Mainly in tropical agriculture and tropical medicine.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps are taken to ensure that the research on the question of oxidisation and rancidity in fats and oils being undertaken both at the Torry laboratories and at the Low Temperature Research Station at Cambridge are fully coordinated and duplication avoided.

It is the intention of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Agricultural Research Council that the close liaison between the staff of these two stations shall be fully maintained by the usual formal and informal contacts, not only in the field of fat and oil deterioration but also in all other fields where the work may be of mutual interest. Care is taken to avoid unnecessary duplication.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps are taken to coordinate the work being carried out at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food laboratory and similar work being carried out by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

If the hon. Member is referring to the Research Establishment and Experimental Factory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Torry Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, which occupy adjoining sites in Aberdeen, many personal contacts have been established between the staffs of the two stations. A local working party consisting of officers from the two stations meets whenever necessary to discuss work of mutual interest.

I do not know if the Parliamentary Secretary has understood me aright. Will he see that formal arrangements are made to ensure that this duplication is avoided, without streamlining unduly?

Yes, the working party to which I have referred is a formal arrangement. It is a co-ordinating committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what research is being done in order to improve the standard of packaging of foodstuffs.

At the laboratories of the Printing, Packaging and Allied Trades Research Association, supported by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, work is being carried out on methods of protecting foodstuffs against the hazards of transport and climate with a view to reducing packaging costs and ensuring that goods reach the consumer in prime condition.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether anything is being done about the standardisation of packets and the design of cartons?

It is under both of these heads that much of the research is being done.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what facilities exist in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for providing help to research workers in the choice of suitable British scientific instruments for their investigations.

An instrument inquiry service is provided at the British Scientific Instrument Research Association and is largely financed by a contribution from the Scientific Instrument Manufacturers' Association and an equal grant from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

May I inquire if the service is proving valuable, and if it is limited to the members of the Association?

The number of inquiries at the present time is running at the rate of 2,200 a year and it is expected to grow considerably. Any bona fide inquirer can use the service and obtain advice.

On a point of order. Is not it really an abuse of the House that we should have these inspired Questions and very long inspired Answers?

It is quite in order.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is doing to encourage the design of better and more attractive scientific instruments in order to compete in both the home and overseas markets against some of the foreign instruments now being produced.

The British Scientific Instrument Research Association, which is supported by the Department, is active in this field. It has a Working Party on Instrument Design which among other things reviews the specification, price and appearance of a variety of foreign instruments. In this way up-to-date information is made available to manufacturers of British instruments. In addition other research associations and the Department's research stations also design new scientific instruments, some of which are in production.

May I inquire what is done with this inspiring information, and is the Board of Trade aware of it?

It is collated and used by members of the Association, who can call for it at any time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what research is being undertaken by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research into the silting of major ports in Great Britain.

The Hydraulics Research Station has been responsible, with the Port of London Authority, for a comprehensive study of the causes of silting in the Thames Estuary and of possible remedial measures. It is making a similar study of the Mersey Estuary and the approaches to Liverpool Docks. Also it has recently commenced an investigation on a smaller scale into silting at Avonmouth Docks.

May I ask my hon. Friend what results have been obtained from this work?

The main result so far has been to produce a new method of dredging, and the amount of dredging that has to be carried out has been very much reduced as a consequence.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what research is being carried out on the reduction of noise from the exhausts of motor vehicles.

The Motor Industry Research Association, which is grant-aided by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, has carried out research on the silencing of the exhaust noise from motor vehicles and motorcycles and has developed test methods which the industry now uses. The Association is continuing to work on the general problem of noise, especially from the point of view of the pedestrian and the passenger. The British Internal Combustion Engine Research Association, also grant-aided by the Department, has investigated exhaust noises of diesel engines.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that Answer, may I ask whether he agrees that there is still an enormous amount of noise from motorcycles and certain types of sports cars and lorries which could well be done away with? Will he give every possible encouragement to all kinds of research?

We have not reached perfection in this matter, but research is still going on. It is the responsibility of the police authorities to control excessive noise.

In the light of all these Questions and Answers, is not it amazing that private industry should reap general benefits from public funds and public research?

We think it is a good thing that public funds and public research should work in partnership with private industry.

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 will make available information about research and investigations in this country similar to the information it has made available in its Overseas Technical Report on Industrial and Economic Microbiology in North America.

An outline of research on industrial microbiology in the United Kingdom has already been published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office last year in a British Commonwealth Scientific Conference Report entitled "Review of industrial microbiology in British Commonwealth Countries".

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether he will continue this publication so that we may have available as much information about our own research as we have from this excellent publication about research in North America?

I will bring the hon. Member's remarks to the attention of my noble Friend. I also hope the hon. Gentleman has read the particular document to which I have referred.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now use his powers under Section 48 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1950, to direct Caithness County Council to prepare and submit to him forthwith proposals for the rehousing of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac McPhee and their five children who are living in a 10 foot by seven foot shack on the hill above Latheron, where their health is endangered.

I apologise, Mr. Speaker, for this slightly lengthy reply.

My right hon. Friend has investigated the progress being made by Caithness County Council in the difficult task of finding accommodation for tinker families normally resident in its area, and he is satisfied that he would not be justified in proceeding as my hon. Friend suggests.

The absorption into the community of tinkers, with their traditionally itinerant mode of life and dwelling, presents grave problems for all concerned and does not always meet with success.

Since last June, permanent housing has been found for nearly half of the fifteen tinker families then remaining on the county council's list as still living in unsuitable accommodation.

On 12th February, the council again reviewed the case of the family referred to by my hon. Friend and instructed that all practicable steps should continue to be taken to provide accommodation. As this becomes available, this case, together with the others, will be considered by the county council.

My right hon. Friend has expressed deep concern that the McPhee family should be rehoused as soon as possible. In the meantime he has received a medical report which indicates that there does not appear to be any evidence of illness in this family attributable to the bad conditions under which they are living.

Is it not a miracle that two adults and five children have lived for seven years on this exposed hillside? I think that God has been good to them. Is not the hon. Gentleman's statement rather one of defeatism? Is it not the case that the father of the family did his duty as a soldier in the recent war when he was called up? Why should he and his wife and children be denied a home such as others can get, and to which they are entitled under the law?

I am not defending bad housing conditions. This application was made in July, 1956, but, as I have explained to the hon. Gentleman, the council is maintaining its progress and has already rehoused a very large number of tinker families living under equally difficult conditions.

Can the Joint Under-Secretary say if the large number—I should think seven or eight, from what he has said—of tinker families rehoused since last June were more overcrowded than this family or were living in conditions worse than those in which people were living in this case?

Yes, Sir—or as bad.

Is not this a matter which has been the concern, and rightly so, of the local authorities for a considerable number of years, and would not any departure from that policy be one of queue-jumping, which would lead to endless difficulties in very many quarters?

Yes, Sir.

Is not this an exceptional and really terrible case—that this family of seven persons should be living in this shack of essentially limited size? Is it not disgraceful that they have not been found accommodation?

No, Sir. The right hon. Gentleman will know, although he does not represent a Scottish constituency, that there are in Scotland very many people with far longer outstanding applications living in very bad housing conditions, and I am satisfied that the local authority is doing its best and is doing all it can to better this position.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, even though I do not represent a Scottish constituency, I am a Member of Parliament and entitled to be concerned?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the time taken between the placing of the contracts on behalf of the St. Andrew's and Red Cross Scottish Ambulance Service for new ambulance service vehicles in 1958 and the delivery of those vehicles; and how these delivery dates compare with what had been customary in previous years.

The main order for vehicle bodies was completed in just under six months after the placing of the contract and a supplementary order is expected to be completed in just over three months. This compares with from five to thirteen months in the last two years in which orders were placed.

Is not it true that normally the provision of these vehicles takes five or six months?

Yes, Sir, but we have done very well in this particular case.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the nature of the breakdown that threatened the Scottish Ambulance Service in the winter of 1958–59; and how this situation arose.

The joint committee advised that there was likely to be a serious and unexpected shortage of ambulances. The numbers of vehicles requiring replacement or major repair were greater than expected. In addition the committee's estimate of vehicles to be saved as a result of co-ordination schemes proved to over over-optimistic. Additional ambulances were, therefore, required to maintain the fleet at full strength during the winter.

Is not it the case that no orders at all were placed for ambulances during two complete years—from 1955 to 1958—and that it is for this reason that there was this threatened break-down of the service in Scotland? Is not it the case that a "penny wise and pound foolish" policy has been followed?

No, Sir. As the hon. Gentleman knows, big changes have been taking place in the Scottish Ambulance Service, and all for the better. This is one little "trip-up" that we have had.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when a course leading to the diploma of pharmaceutical chemistry will be established in the West of Scotland.

The long-term requirements of the West of Scotland for facilities for pharmaceutical education are being considered by the Pharmaceutical Society, the pharmacy schools, and officials of my right hon. Friend's Department. In the meantime, the Royal College of Science and Technology, Glasgow, has agreed to continue the present two-year diploma course for one more course starting in October, 1959.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure us that when this course is finished at the College of Science and Technology in Scotland, there will be some institution in the West of Scotland providing this course leading to the diploma? Is he aware that the decision previously taken—that students from Glasgow and the whole of the West of Scotland, an area of country occupied by nearly half the population, should be asked to go to Aberdeen or Edinburgh to take this important course—has caused very much ill-feeling?

As the hon. Lady knows, all students who were registered with the Pharmaceutical Society after 1st March will, in any case, have to take a three-year course in addition to their preliminary year. There is, therefore, very little difference between that four-year course and a degree course. But I will tell her that the whole question of long-term provision was discussed at a meeting convened by the Pharmaceutical Society last week. We shall certainly watch what happens in regard to the demand for courses, but we think that there will be a preference for a degree course in the West of Scotland.

But, surely, the Under-Secretary is aware that, where we have a three-year course and a four-year course in teaching, by far the greater number still take the three-year course. Is he not also aware that what he says is no excuse at all for not having this three-year diploma course available in the West of Scotland?

The hon. Lady also knows that the three-year course is generally prefaced by a one-year preliminary course, making a four-year course in all. But I can assure her that this matter is under very close consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has given further consideration to the proposal that a central crime investigation department be made available on request, or on his advice, to render immediate and expert assistance to any police force in Scotland; and what is his decision.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has considered this matter again; but in view of the extensive and expert resources of large forces like Glasgow and Edinburgh, which are already available to other forces in Scotland on request, he does not think any other organisation is needed.

The Under-Secretary will be aware of the case that has given rise to this Question. For over two years a criminal was at large in Lanarkshire—if one may name the place—and it was only after the Glasgow force was called in that action was taken. What does the Department propose to do to ensure that local police force autonomy in this matter will not take precedence over the apprehension of criminals such as this?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, it is a fundamental part of the police service of the whole of this country that it is organised locally, and not nationally. Both in Scotland and in England, the responsibility for calling in assistance lies with the local police force.

Does not the Under-Secretary appreciate that there is a growing volume of opinion in Scotland in favour of the establishment of a central criminal investigation department; and that that opinion has very recently been supported by a book just published, written by a learned sheriff-substitute in Renfrewshire? Will he reconsider the decision he has announced this afternoon?

The hon. Gentleman will realise that even if a central criminal investigation department were to be established, it would not mean that it would be called in in every case. The decision would still lie with the individual force.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to improve the standards of accommodation at police headquarters. Dundee.

This is a matter for Dundee Town Council, as police authority.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Dundee police, the magistrates, the court officials and the office staff are living in what is a quite disgraceful office slum; that the chief constable has presented a long list of what he himself calls "hopeless conditions", and that police headquarters are built with Government grant? Does not the Government intend to do anything to provide decent conditions for the policemen?

The Dundee Council has not yet submitted proposals, but if proposals were received and approved, from the technical point of view, by Her Majesty's inspector and our architects, we should try to fit the scheme into the capital investment programme—particularly as Dundee is an area of high unemployment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake to have a full inquiry made into the Scottish licensing laws.

My right hon. Friend regrets that there is nothing he can usefully add at present to the Answer he gave to the hon. Member on 3rd February.

Is the Under Secretary aware that, almost without exception, the the Scottish Press has very definitely expressed the view that the Secretary of State is about to announce the appointment of a Royal Commission? Do I understand that the hon. Gentleman refutes that opinion, and that no such appointment will be made within, say, the next year or two?

If an announcement is to be made, it will be made to this House.

Will the hon. Gentleman take it from me that if his right hon. Friend is considering the desirability of appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the licensing laws in Scotland, he will have the unanimous support of Her Majesty's Opposition for that proposition?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many families have moved from Glasgow under the provisions of the Town Development (Scotland) Act, 1957; and if he will indicate the areas to which they have been transferred.

Housing development has started at Haddington, Kirkintilloch and Johnstone, and the first tenants are now being selected by the local authorities concerned, in consultation with Glasgow Corporation. Movement is expected to begin this year.

May I ask how many families have been removed from this area? Does he realise that this Glasgow problem, involving 300,000 people, is a very serious one; and that less than 100 families have been removed since the introduction of the Act two years ago? Will he deal with this problem as a major operation, necessary because of the seriousness of the position in Glasgow?

Yes, Sir. We are treating it as a major operation. Work on over 1,000 houses is in hand, excluding a further 900 which are being built for Glasgow families in the new towns.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he anticipates the investigation being conducted by the Social Survey Division of the Central Office of Information into drunkenness in Scotland is likely to be completed.

I understand that the results of this inquiry will not be available for some months.

When the results are to hand, will they be made available to hon. Members?

I think that we should first receive the Report, and then consider how to deal with it.

But surely the Under-Secretary is in a position now to indicate whether the results of the investigation will be made available to Members of Parliament. What is the use of having an investigation if the House is not to know the result?

This is a Great Britain investigation. It is customary to await the Report, and then, even if only formally, to take a decision whether or not to publish it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the proposal to build a new agricultural college, at public expense, near Aberdeen; how far the proposal has gone; how much it will cost; what accommodation and training facilities it will provide; how many students it will provide for; and what will be its relations with Aberdeen University when completed.

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

Can the Joint Under-Secretary say what steps the Secretary of State has taken to determine the very important question of whether it is better to have this college within the precincts and the amenities of the city, where the university now is, or to build a new college, at great expense, out in the country? What evidence has he collected on the subject, and what is the result?

The hon. Member will be able to look into this when he sees the Answer, and he can then have another go at it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Advisory Committee on River Pollution last met; and how many meetings were held in 1958.

My right hon. Friend understands that the Committee has not met since April, 1957, mainly because certain information which it has asked the river purification boards to collate and submit about conditions in their districts is not yet fully available, but that the Chairman hopes that it will be possible to resume sittings very shortly.

Arising out of that reply, may I ask my hon. Friend to bear in mind that April, 1957, is quite a long time ago? Is he satisfied that this Committee is tackling its work with the urgency that the problem deserves?

Yes, Sir, I am satisfied. We have reason to think that further meetings will take place very soon.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some of this work is being held up by objections? I am sorry to say that some of these objections, probably on the grounds of expense, are coming from the nationalised industries. Will he ask his right hon. Friends who are responsible for these industries, and other Government Departments, to see that they, at least, do not hold up the work by lodging unnecessary objections?

Yes. We will do what we can to help the Advisory Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that increasing numbers of trained nurses are emigrating to Canada and the United States of America; and what steps he intends to take to reverse this trend.

My right hon. Friend has no information which suggests that there has been any marked upward trend in the number of nurses emigrating to Canada and the United States in recent years and he does not consider that any special steps are called for.

If the hon. Gentleman has not the figures in his possession, will he take the trouble to obtain them? That is what he is paid for. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Royal College of Nursing has said that this is happening? If it is happening in the length and breadth of Britain, obviously it must be happening to some extent in Scotland. Further, is he aware that in West Fife in particular there is a shortage of nurses and the regional hospital board is preventing hospital authorities from advertising for nurses in the local Press? What kind of crazy system is this?

The hon. Gentleman must believe that it is possible that he is not right. The total number of trained nurses in Scotland has increased steadily over the last ten years. There may be local difficulties, but there is no overall shortage.

Will the hon. Gentleman look into the specific complaint about the refusal of the regional board to give permission to local hospital authorities to advertise in the local Press?

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take within the educational system to extend and improve knowledge of the Commonwealth.

My right hon. Friend will continue to assist the Scottish Committee of the Commonwealth Institute in the services it provides for schools to increase knowledge of the Commonwealth. He hopes also to issue a circular shortly about Commonwealth studies in the schools.

Will the hon. Gentleman enlarge on the statement in the recent White Paper on the Overseas Information Services that steps to encourage interest in Commonwealth affairs will be announced shortly? Will the hon. Gentleman indicate when he will be in a position to make such a statement?

The statement to which I have referred will be sent to the education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what he estimates will be the effect on the town of Inverness of the closing of the railway workshops; and what representations on the matter he has received from the Highland Panel.

I understand that the effect on the town of Inverness of the proposed closure of the locomotive workshops cannot be accurately measured until the discussions, which are now being held between the management and the trade unions, have been taken further. My right hon. Friend has received representations from Inverness Town Council about the adverse effect of the closure on the town. The Highland Panel has not yet had an opportunity to consider the matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman say if his right hon. Friend has been associated with the representations made by the Provost of Inverness and the trade unions concerned, from whom I myself have had representations? Is he aware that we in the House are anxious to see more industry in the Highlands, and especially in Inverness? Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the difficult situation which will arise as a result of the closure? Will the hon. Gentleman associate himself with the representations of the trade unions and the Provost to see if this matter can be reconsidered?

My right hon. Friend is in touch with the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, but, as the hon. Gentleman realises, this is a matter of management for the Commission.

Will the Joint Under-Secretary of State or the Secretary of State also bear in mind that the Government are directly interested in the problem, as they have said that they wish to promote suitable industry in the Highlands? In his consultations with the Minister of Transport and in any consultations which may take place with the British Transport Commission, will the Secretary of State bear in mind the importance of co-ordinating the policy of the British Transport Commission and his Department in promoting these industries in the Highlands?

Yes. My right hon. Friend will certainly bear these matters in mind. I am bound to point out the limitations of action which are imposed by legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the Report on measures to improve the supply of teachers in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

As some of the recommendations are within the province of bodies which must be consulted before my right hon. Friend can reach his decisions, he has sent the Report to them. He is also issuing a circular dealing with the recommendations that are primarily the concern of education authorities and is himself considering the remaining recommendations.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that this is an exceptionally able and thorough Report? In his considerations will he give special attention to the recommendations for higher salaries, for the payments of pensions to retired teachers who return to work and for the better representation of teachers in the work of education authorities?

Yes. All these matters will be considered, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there are bodies, as the Advisory Committee recognises, which have to be consulted first.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the anxiety about the future status of history and geography in Scottish secondary schools caused by the proposed new regulations of the Scottish Universities Entrance Board, he will now accept the recommendations contained in paragraphs 125–127 of the Report of the Working Party on the Curriculum of the Senior Secondary School and initiate discussions with the Universities Entrance Board on this subject.

The recommendation referred to appears to mean that where institutions do not give adequate recognition to leaving certificate passes in terms of their own entrance examina- tions my right hon. Friend's Department should convene meetings with them in order to work out an acceptable syllabus. Since passes in corresponding subjects in the leaving certificate and the university preliminary examination are already treated exactly alike a meeting with the Universities Entrance Board for this purpose seems unnecessary.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary completely unaware that there is very great anxiety in Scottish educational circles now about the position of history and geography and that, if the position as between the Scottish Education Department and the Scottish universities is allowed to continue, students will be able to graduate from Scottish universities after having had only two years of history tuition in their whole life? Is not this a thoroughly illiberal move? Will the hon. Gentleman do something to bring about discussions to stop this?

Representations have been made from both sides of the House and strong views have been expressed in many parts of the country. I understand that the four universities are not in full agreement on the new proposals. Presumably they will have to be considered further.

Is not the Joint Under-Secretary aware that there is only one matter on which the four universities are not agreed, and that is higher English? Glasgow University is insisting on English in the higher standard. That will be the only thing to be considered by the Privy Council. The Secretary of State must take some responsibility on the question of history and geography teaching.

I should not like to confirm what the hon. Lady has said—that that will be the only question to be considered by the Privy Council. If the matter has to be considered there, it will be considered as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be able to make a decision in respect of the development of land at Summerston. Glasgow.

The development of this area would require an amendment to the Glasgow Development Plan. No such amendment has yet been submitted to my right hon. Friend by the Corporation, which is, I understand, awaiting the final decision on the National Coal Board's proposed new mining development at Bearsden which will substantially affect any development at Summerston.

In the interval, can the hon. Gentleman arrange that at least Glasgow Corporation's advisers will have access to the Coal Board's plans so that it can try to meet the difficulty by consulting its own plans?

We will give Glasgow Corporation any assistance that we possibly can.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what he estimates will be the effect on the South-East of Scotland of the decision to speed up work on road construction.

My right hon. Friend has authorised additional highway expenditure in the South-East of Scotland to a total value of about £98,000. I shall, with permission, circulate detailed information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does this include a speeding-up of work on the Dunbar bypass, which is particularly needed?

No, I think not.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the granting of permission to Glenrothes Development Corporation to build five advance factories.

These small advance factory units of 2,400 square feet each are similar in scale and purpose to those which have been approved from time to time in all the Scottish New Towns. They are intended for letting to smaller firms and service industries.

Can the hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that, when these factories are built, they will be occupied forthwith? Can the hon. Gentleman say on what basis their building is being financed?

They are financed in the ordinary way out of the New Towns funds. They are not so much factories as small workshops, and they will all be occupied.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the disappearance of Moira Anderson of Coatbridge, aged 12 years, remains unsolved, that the man who carried away Betty Nichol, aged 12 years, escaped, and no arrest has been made, and that the clothes of John Condon, aged 5 years, who naked body was found in a canal, have not been recovered; and if he will call for a report under Section 34 of the Police (Scotland) Act, 1956, on steps taken regarding these matters, in order to satisfy parents of these and other children in this constituency.

Full reports on the cases of Moira Anderson and Elizabeth Nicol were obtained from the chief constables concerned before a reply was given to the hon. Lady on 25th November. My right hon. Friend understands from the chief constables that, although their investigations are continuing, there have been no developments since that date. As regards the case of John Condon, he has just received a report and will write to the hon. Lady as soon as he has fully considered it.

Will the hon. Gentleman say if his right hon. Friend has any power, if the local authority has any power, if anyone on earth has any power, to compel a chief constable to call in trained detectives to solve these mysteries? Have we to wait until there are another eight murders in Lanarkshire before trained detectives are sent there?

I think that the hon. Lady is perhaps being a little unfair to the police forces in Coatbridge and Airdrie. Both of them have a much higher proportion of solved crimes than the average for the country as a whole. If the hon. Lady takes only two examples, she is being rather unfair to the authorities concerned, in the light of those figures.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received the report of the board of inquiry into the fatal accident at Aldermaston on 26th February; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. I have received an interim report from the Board of Inquiry.

The Board reports that the explosion occurred during the course of conveyance by truck of high explosives; that the explosion was confined to the vicinity of one building; and that there was no outbreak of fire.

Two men were killed instantly, one was injured, and eleven other workers were treated for shock.

The Board has directed that certain tests shall be carried out, and it will make a full report when it has the results. This may not be for some weeks.

The Board has not been able to find any eye-witness of the actual event which led to the explosion. The injured man was interviewed in hospital, but his memory was confused about the circumstances and he could remember very little about the occurrence. I am glad to say that he is making a good recovery from his injuries.

The Board reported that it instituted an independent radiological survey of the site of the accident, from which it is clear that radioactive materials were not involved.

The Board concluded

"that the explosion must be regarded as an accident and did not arise as a result of negligence."

I thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer, but do I understand that this report is in the nature of an interim report and that a fuller report, though not necessarily a highly technical one, will be published later on? I ask that particularly in view of the fact that any unhappy accident at an atomic station always makes news headlines and causes alarm. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is desirable that there should be the fullest possible statement to show that there was nothing particularly sinister about this unhappy accident?