asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he is now co-operating with local authorities with a view to assisting them to develop and prepare disused land for the provision of new industries, especially n the Development Areas.

Local authorities were invited in March last to submit proposals for the clearance of derelict sites to the Board of Trade, and they have been offered the technical advice and guidance, if required, of my right hon. Friend's Department and of the Board's Scottish Controller. Fourteen schemes have already been approved.

Does the Minister also mean that, in addition to these wide powers, local authorities may have opportunities of servicing sites by raising moneys either by grant aid or by local rates with a view to meeting the intense competition from Europe in endeavouring to attract industries to the locality?

I am interested to hear what the hon. Gentleman has to tell me.

I take it that there is no answer to my supplementary question?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Cairngorms are, with one exception, the highest mountain mass in the United Kingdom, that, for the purposes of the Review of Highland Policy, Command Paper No. 785, the greater part of these mountains and their foothills do not form part of the Highlands, that in the upper valleys of the Dee and Don land is cultivated at a higher altitude than in any other part of the country, and that there is a lack of employment in these valleys outwith the short tourist season; and whether he will include in the Highlands, for the purpose of the White Paper, those parts of the constituency of West Aberdeenshire which are Highland in character.

My right hon. Friend is aware of conditions in the areas my hon. Friend has in mind, but they are broadly similar to those in rural areas in many other parts of the country. It has been recognised for a long time, however, that conditions in the seven crofting counties in certain respects present unique problems that require special consideration.

Does not my hon. Friend realise that there has been as much depopulation from the excluded parts of the Highlands as from the crofting counties?

My right hon. Friend is always willing to give special consideration to problems brought to his notice, but conditions there do not differ greatly from upland areas in other parts of Scotland, including the south of Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now received the reports from the work study consultants employed to undertake assignments in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Aberdeen.

Reports have been made on all these assignments to the boards of management of the hospitals concerned, who were the clients of the consultants employed. All the assignments are now virtually complete and the recommendations have been largely implemented.

While it would appear that this is a case of trying to lock the stable door after the horse has bolted, will the Minister nevertheless undertake to place copies of these reports in the Library for the use of Members?

I will certainly consider that

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if arrangements have now been completed for setting up a work study organisation in the hospital service.

The initial arrangements for setting up a work study organisation in the Scottish hospital service are almost complete and the regional hospital boards are now making appointments to eleven new posts. The work study group in my right hon. Friend's Department is already functioning.

Will the Minister bear in mind that, while many of us have no objection in principle to work study for the purpose of making the service more efficient, many of us would oppose it strenuously if such schemes were used for instituting a campaign of economy, in view of the Guillebaud Committee's Report to the effect that there was no waste or extravagance?

The object of this work study is to do the job in a better way than it is being done at present. I personally think it is an extremely valuable kind of investigation to carry out.

Can the Under-Secretary say how much the institution of these proposals will cost and whether they also will be made available to hon. Members?

I would like to have notice of that supplementary question.

Surely that is quite a simple question. Are we not entitled to further information about the institution of such an important form of supervision over the health service scheme? Surely to ask that such a report should be made available to hon. Members is quite a simple request to make.

The hon. Gentleman asked about the cost. I said that I should be glad if he would put down a Question on the Notice Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further consideration has been given to the issues raised in respect of the Forth and Clyde canal following recommendations of the Bowes Committee on Inland Waterways.

Any decision to close the canal, as recommended by the Bowes Committee, would be a matter for the British Transport Commission and for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport. The interests affected will need to be consulted and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, for his part, is at present in communication with the fishermen's associations concerned to obtain their views on the recommendation of the Committee.

There was a recommendation that the Glasgow arm of the Forth and Clyde canal should be redeveloped, and the Committee, while making no firm recommendation, suggested that the main canal should be closed. Has any consideration been given to that point?

The Inland Waterways Redevelopment Advisory Committee has been concentrating on the Monkland portion of the canal network and has not yet considered the other parts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the present disparities between the southern industrial belt of Scotland and the northern areas of Scotland, what steps he is taking to increase population, industries, transport and housing facilities in the northern areas.

It would be difficult to specify in one Answer all the steps that are being taken to assist the North of Scotland. I would remind the hon. and learned Member of the assistance which is being given through D.A.T.A.C. and the Development Commission, and which will be given under the Local Employment Bill and the Highland Shipping Bill; of the greatly increased expenditure on roads; the remote area subsidy to local authority houses; and the other forms of assistance mentioned in the recent White Paper on Highland Policy, in the booklet "Highland Opportunities" and in other publications.

Does not the Minister realise that there is a grave contradiction between that Answer and the Government promises, and that industry in the North and North-East of Scotland has been penalised by the cutting down of railways services and in various other Ways? Will the hon. Gentleman see that these contradictions are resolved in the interests of the North of Scotland?

The hon. and learned Gentleman has previously asked a Question about railways to which an Answer was given on 8th December. There is no contradiction whatever of the Government's promises. Indeed, my Answer shows how they are being carried out.

Can the Joint Under-Secretary say what proportion of the financial assistance being given to the Highlands is in the form of public enterprise and what proportion is in the form of private enterprise?

No, Sir; I should require notice of that Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a detailed statement on the various investigations under the auspices of his Department into the natural national resources of Scotland concerned with land, water, minerals, forestry and the present distribution of population and its age structure, indicating the results achieved to date.

The detailed surveys carried out by local planning authorities provide a general conspectus of physical resources and population trends. They are supplemented, as required, by specialist investigations by the Government Departments and other agencies. In particular, the Scottish Council has just announced a wide inquiry into Scotland's natural resources, in which it has been assured of the co-operation of the Government Departments concerned.

Does the Minister realise that these investigations should be carried out at the very highest Governmental level? What evidence has he that that is being done?

If tomorrow the hon. and learned Gentleman reads in the OFFICIAL REPORT the Answer which I have just given him, he will appreciate that that in fact is being done.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has given to police authorities in Scotland regarding the use of telephone tapping; and to what extent it has been his practice to allow information or evidence so acquired to be communicated to others than the proper legal authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many cases, since October, 1957, he has authorised the disclosure of information obtained by telephone tapping to any person or body outside the public service.

Scottish chief constables are aware of the recommendations of the Birkett Report, which were accepted and are acted upon by the Government. In accordance with these recommendations, no information obtained under the authority of a warrant of the Secretary of State is disclosed to any outside body.

May we have a general assurance that, so far as possible, conversations on the telephone are private to the people taking part in them, and that at a later date they will not be used in evidence in any kind of court, in cases of divorce or otherwise?

Listening to telephone conversations with the consent of the subscriber does not require my authority, although it is true to say that I am not aware of any such case arising in Scotland. Beyond that it is difficult to go in answer to a supplementary question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if his original Answer is correct, as I am sure is the case, his standard, or record, in this matter is very much better than that of the Home Secretary? Can he say what sanction we can apply to the Home Secretary to bring his standard up to that of the right hon. Gentleman?

I am not clear whether the hon. Gentleman is referring to telephone tapping or the listening in to telephone conversations with the consent of the subscriber.

I am referring to the authorisation of disclosure.

I have stated the position in Scotland, for which I am responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of geriatric beds available in the area of the East Fife Hospitals Board of Management, and the number of cases awaiting admission to those beds; and if he will make a statement regarding the delay in providing additional beds in Buckhaven.

There are 93 beds. The waiting list is estimated at 127. My right hon. Friend appreciates the concern in East Fife about geriatric accommodation, but the regional hospital board is hoping to start work on new building next year which will help to meet the geriatric need.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that in the County of Fife we have only about 47 beds per 100,000 of the population compared with 165 beds per 100,000 of the population in the Eastern Regional Hospital Board area? In view of the serious plight of the aged chronic sick in Kirkcaldy and district, does not he consider that what is necessary is the immediate and effective implementation of the Government's General Election promises to speed up hospital building?

I am aware that the situation in Fife has not been as good as in some other parts of the area. I hope that the new building to which I have referred will help to meet the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to make known to those likely to be interested in Scotland, the provisions of the House Purchase and Housing Act, 1959, regarding grants for the provision of standard amenities.

In addition to Press publicity, copies of a leaflet have been distributed, and a more detailed booklet with illustrative plans has been published. My right hon. Friend is anxious to see these grants taken up as widely as possible, and arrangements are being made for a number of practical demonstrations in the course of next year.

May I remind the Joint Under-Secretary of State that, in the first published figures for the quarter ending 30th September, only sixteen of these grants have been given in Scotland; and does not this demonstrate that the land lords of Scotland are not interested in this sort of thing? What does the hon. Gentleman propose to do about getting rid of private landlordism of tenement properties in Scotland?

I think it unnecessary for me to answer the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question.

Can the hon. Gentleman answer it?

Regarding the first part of his supplementary question, the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the figures for grants in the September quarterly return, while disappointingly small, relate to a scheme which has been running only for a month or two and that it is still early to judge whether it will be a success.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the total number of houses likely to be completed in Scotland in the current year; and what percentage of the actual completions for 1958 the estimate for 1959 represents.

My right hon. Friend expects that total completions in 1959 will be between 27,000 and 28,000, or about 87 per cent. of the 1958 figure.

In view of the appalling housing conditions which still obtain in many parts of Scotland, is the Under-Secretary aware that the percentage figure he has just quoted will be greeted with considerable concern? What steps is he taking to stimulate an increase in house building in Scotland?

Naturally, my right hon. Friend is anxious that housing conditions in Scotland should improve as Quickly as possible. But the hon. Gentleman and, indeed, the House, must appreciate that there is no restriction on local authority building and that, as building on virgin sites is completed, clearance and redevelopment of sites in the centres of towns is bound to slow clown the total number of houses built.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the past year has been the best building year which we have ever had? Is not there something wrong with Government policy if, during this excellent building year, the number of houses completed has fallen by 13 per cent. compared with the number for the previous year? Does not he appreciate that the policy is wrong, and that if he wants to get houses, he will have to amend it?

I cannot accept the conclusion of the hon. Gentleman. The reason why house building is not at the rate it was is, first, that a great deal of the housing need has been met.

In what areas?

Secondly, as I stated in answer to the first supplementary question, it is easier to build on virgin sites than on sites in the centres of towns.

The hon. Gentleman said there were no restrictions on house building. Has he forgotten the difficulty of getting money and the inadequate subsidies?

If local authorities spread their subsidies and charged reasonable rents they would find no difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to say whether the Tay bridge will be completed at the same time as the Forth road bridge.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not think that this would be possible and I would refer the hon. Lady to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson) on 1st December.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I have read that reply with great care? Does he not think that, once the consulting engineers have completed their preliminary work, it would do a tremendous amount to help bring industry to the North-East of Scotland? Can he give an assurance that if all the surveys are satisfactory the Government will press on to try to get this bridge completed at the same time as the Forth road bridge?

We think it will take about three years from start to finish to build the Tay road bridge. Of course, we have not yet got to the stage where we can make a start. I should, however, say to my hon. Friend that the main benefit we expect to see from the Forth road bridge will be enjoyed by traffic moving to the north-east area by the present route.

Is my hon. Friend aware that drivers would have to make a detour unless the Tay bridge is completed at the same time? If it is to take only three years to complete this bridge, would my hon. Friend say whether he thinks that it is a matter of great urgency to try to press forward with the work?

It will be for traffic itself to choose which route it takes. On the information that is available to us, the longer-distance road traffic will take the present route and not go over the Tay bridge.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the nature of his reply to the letter sent to him by Coat-bridge Town Council regarding the West Summerlee Compulsory Purchase Order, 1958.

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the letter sent to my right hon. Friend by the town council on 24th November expressing disappointment at his decision. This letter has been acknowledged but the case cannot be reopened.

Does not the Question read very clearly and ask the nature of the reply of the Secretary of State? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, by excluding this area, the Government have virtually abandoned their promised slum clearance programme in this town due to lack of sites? Does he realise that, by rejecting the recommendations and findings of an advocate appointed by the Secretary of State and responsible to the Secretary of State, the Government have actually interfered with a judicial finding? Do they not think that is a dangerous practice? Will the Secretary of State give an assurance that he will review the position?

Naturally, as he appoints the Commissioner who is to carry out these inquiries, the Secretary of State has the perfectly proper constitutional right to review the recommendation of the Commissioner afterwards and either confirm or not, as he did in this case. My right hon. Friend is aware of the difficulties which face the hon. Member's local authority and will be very happy for the officials of that authority to discuss the matter with his officials to see ways out of the difficulty.

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply—shades of the Devlin Commission—I beg to give notice that I intend to raise this subject in an early Adjournment debate.

That is yet another variation of the formula. I wish hon. Members would stick to the usual formula.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action the Government are prepared to take themselves to establish research and other public services in Scotland in order to assist in the restoration of Scottish prosperity; and what inducements the Government are prepared to offer to potential private enterprise.

As regards research projects under Government con- trol, I would refer the right hon. Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Members for South Angus (Sir J. Duncan) and for Kilmarnock (Mr. Ross) on 26th November and 8th December. Private research projects will be eligible for the whole range of benefits under the Local Employment Bill if they provide employment in areas of high and persistent unemployment.

Will the Minister say, first, whether the Government are really determined to restore prosperity to Scotland? If so, that must be done either by public enterprise or private enterprise. Can he say whether the Government are prepared to introduce more public enterprise in Scotland? If not, are they prepared to give sufficient inducements to private enterprise? Can he say whether there is any truth in the suggestion made this morning that the Government are prepared to give very considerable assistance to any of the motor car industries which are prepared to establish themselves in Scotland?

The Question asks about research services and other public services. I am afraid I could not reply to the last part of the supplementary question as I do not think that would be in order. As my right hon. Friend explained last week, the Government are anxious to give every possible encouragement to research, both public and private, coming to establish itself in Scotland, but such projects are not easy to find.

If the Government do not show an example, how can they expect private enterprise to do so?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many beds have become available for other purposes as a result of the decrease in the need for tuberculosis treatment; and whether these are being fully utilised for maternity, geriatric, and other urgent needs.

Between June, 1958, and June, 1959, some 900 tuberculosis beds became redundant. About 700 have already been put to other uses, over half being used for the elderly sick. Most of the remainder are closed only temporarily while arrangements are being made for their future use.

In view of the desperate urgency for this provision and the complaints made about hardship, could not the Minister speed up this transition of the beds from their former use as tuberculosis beds to use to meet these other urgent needs?

I think that if the right hon. Member looks at the figures he will see that we have not been doing too badly. I have a great deal of sympathy for the point of view of the right hon. Member, but, due to structure and remoteness, some of the hospitals are not suited to the purpose he has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set up a commission of investigation on the future of small burghs, in view of the accumulating evidence that many are unable effectively to discharge their functions.

No, Sir.

Why not? Has the hon. Gentleman or the Department any means of finding out how many small burghs are unable or unwilling, or both, to discharge their functions? Is he aware that there is at least one in my constituency, which is mentioned in a later Question, which is quite unable to fulfil the prime function of housing provision? What steps is he taking to see that that deficiency is remedied?

The hon. Member has his own opinion about one particular small burgh, but that would not justify my right hon. Friend in carrying out the inquiry the hon. Member desires.

Could not the Under-Secretary advise the Secretary of State to have another look at the Cairncross Report?

Answer.

Is not the Minister prepared to answer his own colleague? Is he aware that there is a great problem among the small burghs? Is he aware that people who are unfortunate enough to live in some burghs which cannot discharge their functions suffer considerable hardships? Is he not prepared to give an answer?

I have no evidence of any general demand for the type of inquiry the hon. Member has suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the overall shortage of accommodation for mental defectives; and which regional board areas are worst off in this respect.

While the ultimate need for accommodation cannot be assessed with any precision, there is undoubtedly a shortage for certain classes of notably low-grade children. The current building programme will provide 800 additional places in the next three years, and further proposals are under consideration. The regions least well served at present are the North, North-Eastern and South-Eastern.

Can the Minister give any indication of how this figure of 800 in the next three years measures up to the scope of the problem? It is no use his telling us that facilities for another 800 are to be provided, if the overall shortage cannot be dealt with. Will he inform the House of the position and give some indication when we are to get legislation on mental health in Scotland?

The figure of 800 which I have just mentioned will produce an increase in the South-Eastern Region of 18 per cent. As to the Mental Health Bill, I think the hon. Member will not have to wait too long for that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the small Burgh of Culross has built no houses since 1949, that there is a housing list containing the names of large families, and that in one instance a man, wife, and seven children are living in one room, and have no prospects of being rehoused; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take steps to facilitate the building of at least twenty additional houses by the Scottish Special Housing Association.

The Scottish Special Housing Association has recently built ten houses in this very small burgh. Six of these have been provided without cost to the town council, and a further allocation of this kind would not at present be possible.

Why on earth not? Is the Minister aware that the case I have described in the Question is by no means exceptional? A man, his wife and seven children are living in one room and cannot get a house. This is in one of the burghs which have not built a house since 1949. This makes absolute nonsense of the earlier replies of the hon. Gentleman to Questions on this subject. It also makes nonsense of the often-made claim by the former Under-Secretary, who is now Lord Craigton, that the reason why some of the burghs have not built is that their housing needs are satisfied.

The hon. Member asked why more houses could not be built by the Scottish Special Housing Association. The reason is that the extension of the Association's assistance to any local authority depends on that authority's relative housing and financial need.

Oh

Indeed, yes. If the burgh simply cannot build houses, if a penny rate brings in £12—that is the position in Culross—and therefore the local authority cannot house its people, why should not the Scottish Special Housing Association come in to relieve the incredible hardship?

If tomorrow the hon. Member will read my answer to his supplementary question, he will find the answer to the question which he has just asked.

In view of the extremely unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the judgment of the High Court of Justiciary, delivered on 3rd December last, in the matter of a contempt of court, restricting the rights of a person accused of a crime or offence to make inquiries relative to his defence, he will introduce legislation to clarify the law on the subject.

The judgment of 4th December concerning the Scottish Daily Mail, which I assume that the hon. Member has in mind, does not appear to me to limit the rights of the defence in any way.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have not in mind any newspaper, and particularly the one to which he refers? Does he realise that, in his judgment, Lord Clyde has laid it down that all criminal investigations must be carried out exclusively by the criminal authorities, and that the facts discovered are not to be made public until the ultimate trial takes place? While I agree that certain Press organs have brought this judgment on their own heads and may well deserve it, does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that it has much wider implications, and that, apart from the Press altogether, it may limit the rights of the defence when the trial takes place? That is the point to which I should like the Secretary of State to address himself.

I should be very glad to send the hon. Gentleman a full copy of the judgment, and I believe that, if he reads it carefully, he will realise that the judgment does not bear the implications which he suggests. I think that it is a very important matter. The judgment actually says

"All these investigations … and all these interrogations of possible witnesses should be done by the criminal authorities, and not by the Press. … Any independent interviewing of possible witnesses by representatives of the Press while the investigations by the Crown Authorities are in progress constitutes an interference with the Authorities' public duty. …"

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he is satisfied with the recent progress of the Scottish Hydro-Electric Board in supplying electricity to farms in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Having regard to the difficulties involved, my right hon. Friend considers that, taking the area as a whole, progress so far is satisfactory.

Does the Minister endorse the glowing tribute to nationalisation paid by Lord Strathclyde, former President of the South Ayrshire Unionist Association, and will he take steps to see that it has a much wider circulation amongst Unionist Associations?

I certainly endorse the fact that the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, which is not exactly a nationalised board—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]—because it is for a part of the country only—has done a most admirable piece of work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many additional farmers in South-West Scotland have received electricity supplies since 1946.

Information as to the Board's progress in supplying electricity to farms up to 31st December, 1958, is contained in its Annual Report for 1958. The Board will, I am sure, be glad to give the hon. Member more up-to-date information if he requires it.

Why is the hon. Gentleman so shy about giving this information? Does he not realise that the overwhelming majority of farmers in South-West Scotland now have a supply of electric light and power, due to the advancement of public ownership on the electricity front?

I am well aware of the great progress that has been made by the South of Scotland Electricity Board, under the chairmanship of Sir John Pickles, who started in my own constituency, and did a very good job of work there. I am not shy about this, but would only say that it seems more appropriate that requests for information about the day-to-day activities of the Board should be addressed directly to the Board itself.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what grants are available for improving farm roads in hill and upland areas.

Grants at the rate of 50 per cent. of approved costs are available, where road works form part of a comprehensive scheme of improvements under the Hill Farming and Livestock Rearing Acts and at the rate of 33⅓ per cent. of approved costs under the Farm Improvement Scheme. In addition county councils may obtain grants in certain cases up to 85 per cent. of the cost in the Crofting Counties under the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897, and elsewhere under the Agriculture (Improvement of Roads) Act, 1955.

While thanking my hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that it is quite a serious matter to keep up what may often be miles of roads in upland areas? Will he see that grants can be made under the Livestock and Hill Farming Acts, where it is not necessary to have a comprehensive scheme?

I shall be glad to consider this, but we must remember that costs must not be unreasonably high in relation to the benefit to agriculture.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for increasing the number of beds for medical and surgical cases at the Garrick Hospital, Stranraer.

The Western Regional Hospital Board appreciates the present difficulties and expects to receive proposals from the board of management in the near future for the provision of additional beds.

Would my hon. Friend keep in mind the fact that this hospital serves a very large area indeed, and that the provision of beds is a matter of great importance for the people living in the district?

That is recognised by the regional hospital board.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the commissioner's report on the inquiry into the tidal waters of the River Forth.

The Commissioner has informed my right hon. Friend that he hopes to let him have his report fairly soon.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this public inquiry was started last February and was completed in May of this year? Will he give an assurance that once his Department receives the report, it will deal with it expeditiously, because a very large part of the tidal waters are becoming increasingly polluted?

I am aware that the hon. Gentleman is naturally interested in seeing that the water is kept as clean as possible, but I am sure that he will appreciate that this is a complicated matter, full of technical issues and on a very complicated and difficult subject. I undertake that when the report is received, there will be no delay in the Scottish Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional valuation accrued to Scottish rating authorities in the years 1957–58 and 1958–59 as a result of the supplementary valuation rolls introduced in those years.

In 1958–59, £773,179. I have no corresponding information for 1957–58.

As these figures for the years quoted represent a considerable rate revenue, and as the Secretary of State requested the Scottish authorities to forgo the publication of a supplementary roll in the year 1960–61, will the Joint Under-Secretary give an assurance that his Department will look into the question of providing local authorities with compensation if they accede to his request?

This is not so much a request as a suggestion. The matter is left entirely at the discretion of the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the present difficulty of ascertaining whether persons entering upon hire-purchase negotiations are bona fide purchasers, whether he will introduce legislation to clarify the situation.

My right hon. Friend has had no representations from hire-purchase firms about difficulty in ascertaining whether persons entering on hire-purchase negotiations with them are bona fide purchasers. If the hon. Member has in mind the sale of goods on which hire-purchase instalments are outstanding, it is for the buyer to satisfy himself that the vendor has title to sell, and my right hon. Friend does not see how the buyer could be helped by legislation, although he would be very glad to consider any suggestion that the hon. Member cares to make.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that, while the great mass of hire-purchase transactions take place on a perfectly bona fide basis, it is just too easy for a purchaser, or for a dealer for that matter, to carry out crooked practices? In view of the fact that my information, from responsible professional sources in my constituency, is to the effect that frauds of this kind are quite frequent, and involve considerable sums of money in regard to motor car purchases, will the hon. Gentleman take the initiative in making inquiries instead of waiting for complaints to be received by him? Will he ask the firms concerned or the legal profession what information they have?

The hon. Member has done a public service in bringing this matter to our attention, and I will certainly consider most carefully what he said. I do not think that he expects me to give a firm answer now.

In view of the fact that a large number of what are purported to be hire-purchase agreements, or deals, are carried out under what is called a personal credit scheme, and in view of the fact that there is some doubt whether this personal credit scheme is legal or illegal, will the Minister take steps to see that no one is penalised at this time for having carried out deals under the personal credit scheme? May we be assured that until the legality of this scheme is settled, no one will be penalised?

That is an entirely different question. Personal credit schemes are not hire-purchase schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the progress of revaluation under the Rating and Valuation Act, 1956; and if he will give an assurance that revaluation will be introduced in 1961.

The Answer to both parts of the Question is, "Yes, Sir".

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that the increase in the number of maternity beds at Bellshill Hospital meets the urgent needs of the new town of East Kilbride for maternity provision near at hand and if he will make a statement.

The new unit at Bells-hill will go a very long way towards meeting the reasonable needs of the area, including East Kilbride, which it is designed to serve.

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that it takes at least three hours for people to travel from East Kilbride to Bellshill Hospital, to visit patients there, and to get back again? Is he also aware that the Hairmyres hospital, which is the local hospital, has been willing to have a maternity unit? Is he aware that East Kilbride has the highest birth rate in Scotland and more perambulators to the square mile than anywhere else? Will he reconsider this matter?

I understand that the regional hospital board is looking into the possibility of Hairmyres hospital, but I am advised that on the whole it is undesirable to plan maternity services as small units.

Is not the Minister aware from the number of Questions which have been asked about hospital accommodation that there is very serious concern about it in Scotland? What does he mean by "the reasonable needs" of Lanarkshire? Does that mean 70 per cent. of the cases? Will he not give some consideration to the provision in Hairmyres hospital of this very necessary service for a growing place such as East Kilbride, where there are so many young couples?

Not quite 70 per cent.

Mrs. Hart.

Will the Under-Secretary of State answer my hon. Friend's question?

I called the hon. Lady to ask Question No. 30.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farmers in the Parliamentary constituency of Lanark have applied for, and received, grants under the provisions of the Small Farmers Act; and what has been the total expenditure as a result.

None of the seven small farmers in the Parliamentary constituency of Lanark who have had farm business plans approved under the provisions of the Small Farmers (Scotland) Scheme, 1959, has so far applied for an instalment of grant.

Will the Under-Secretary of State undertake to give further publicity to the facilities which are available so that his Government can fulfil the promise which they have made to give assistance to this body of farmers?

I think that agriculture generally and small farmers in particular well know of the existence of this Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations from consumers were received by the Electricity Consultative Council for the South of Scotland District in the year ended 31st December, 1958.

This is a matter for the Consultative Council which will, I am sure, be glad to supply the information to the hon. Member on request.

Since the Secretary of State for Scotland appoints the members of the Consultative Council, has he not some responsibility for it? Does he not agree that the vast majority of electricity consumers in the South of Scotland are unaware of the existence and work of this body? Will he consult the South of Scotland Electricity Board with a view to publicising its work?

Considerable attention has been devoted to this question, but I should explain to the hon. Member that the Council, which is appointed by my right hon. Friend, cannot be compelled to supply him with this information, although it would readily do so if asked. As this is a matter which falls within the Council's responsibility, I suggest that it is more appropriate for the hon. Member to communicate with the Council direct.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the outcome of his recent talks with the First Lord of the Admiralty concerning a site for the proposed technical college at Greenock.

As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member in his letter of 10th December, my noble Friend has agreed that, subject to the settlement of certain financial and legal details, just over 3½ acres of land adjacent to the small site already available should be transferred to Renfrew-shire Education Authority as soon as practicable.

Is the hon. Member aware that it fortifies back benchers considerably when they receive letters answering Questions which they have tabled the day before? In the discussions, has the Secretary of State sought and received an assurance that the officers of Renfrewshire Education Committee will have every co-operation and access to the boom defence depôt in the stage of planning and design of the college? Can we reasonably expect that in 1962, when this is completed, the sanction of the Scottish Education Department will be secured for this much-needed project?

My right hon. Friend thought it courteous to inform the hon. Member as soon as possible of the decision which had been reached. The second part of the supplementary question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty. On the third part of the supplementary question, I am sure that there will be no unreasonable delay in giving approval.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many municipal houses were built in Glasgow in 1954; and how many will be completed in 1959.

Glasgow Corporation built 6,148 houses in 1954 and expects to complete about 2,450 in 1959. A further 1,500 houses will have become available in 1959 for Glasgow families in new towns and overspill reception areas.

Is the hon. Member aware that Glasgow has a waiting list of 130,000 applicants? This reveals a reduction of over 60 per cent. The reduction may be due to the shortage of sites, about which the Corporation advised the right hon. Gentleman not less than six years ago. What does he intend to do about the problem?

We intend to carry on with our existing programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of consultants employed in the Western Regional Hospital Board area at the end of 1950, 1955 and 1958, respectively, including consultants employed in teaching hospitals.

The number of consultants employed by the Western Regional Hospital Board on these three dates were, respectively, 365, 454 and 478.

Can the Minister give any reason for the increase?

It is for the Board to preserve a proper balance between consultants of various kinds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, for purposes of comparison, he will state the total annual charges debited to the housing revenue account of a local authority in respect of a four-apartment house built and provided with money borrowed from the Public Works Loan Board for sixty years as at August. 1951, and August, 1959.

The total annual charges based on the average cost of construction, including land, services and fees, of a four-apartment house as at August, 1951, and August, 1959, are £54 19s. 2d. and £111 17s. 10d.

These are very illuminating figures. Is the hon. Member a ware that the cost over sixty years has risen from £3,200 to £7,600? Is not he ashamed of these figures? Do not they indicate that the Government's policy is compelling local authorities to stop house building in Scotland?

The hon. Member has been plugging away at this point for some time.

No wonder.

I do not think that it is profitable to discuss the Government's policy for financing local authority house building by means of Question and Answer.

On a point of order. As the hon. Gentleman desires to debate this subject, and because of the unsatisfactory reply, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to see that the Department of Agriculture for Scotland is represented on a display stand at future Smithfield shows.

My right hon. Friend will be happy to keep my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind when he is considering the Department's future publicity programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total acreage in Scotland rendered unfit for arable use by reason of recurrent flooding.

No precise information is available, but in its Report in 1950 the Duncan Committee estimated that about 200,000 acres of arable land were adversely affected in varying degrees by inadequate arterial drainage.

Does not the Under-Secretary agree that this is a deplorable loss to agricultural resources? Further, does he agree that it is very necessary that we should have adequate land drainage so that we can boost agricultural production in Scotland and make things much better for people living in the rural areas?

I agree that it would be highly desirable, but at the same time I think that we had better see how the Land Drainage (Scotland) Act, 1958, gets on.

It is not getting on at all—[Interruption.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state in respect of Ayrshire how many children did not receive any school dental examination in 1958.

In the school year 1957–58, 39,585 school children in Ayrshire did not receive a school dental examination.

The hon. Gentleman has just told us amid the din—[Interruption.]

The futility of asking Questions is increased if there is so much noise that the Answer cannot be heard.

Owing to the din and interruptions from the other side, Mr. Speaker, may I have the Answer again so that I can put my supplementary question?

In the school year 1957–58, 39,585 school children in Ayrshire did not receive a school dental examination.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is a deplorable situation when over 39,000 children in one county have had no dental service from the school dental service? What positive steps will he take to augment the qualified school dental service?

Recruitment to the school dental service is primarily a matter for local education authorities; but my right hon. Friend, as he indicated to the hon. Gentleman last week, is doing what he can to encourage more dentists to join the service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amount of grant issued to the county councils of Scotland for the maintenance and improvement of classified roads in Scotland for the financial years 1959–60 and 1958–59.

In 1958–59 my right hon. Friend authorised grants to county highway authorities of £2,745,000 for maintenance and minor improvement and £1,375,000 for major improvements. He estimates that the comparable figures for 1959–60 will be £2,771,000 and £1,358,000 respectively.

It was a little difficult to follow the Under-Secretary. I will take note of what he said and probably table another Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the amount of grants issued to Scottish local authorities for the maintenance and minor improvements of classified roads in 1946–47; and the average increase per year up to 1959–60.

The amount authorised in 1946–47 was £1,681,000. Since 1951–52, when that figure was first exceeded, the average increase per year has been 7·2 per cent. of that figure. This is equivalent to an average increase of 5·7 per cent. for each year relative to the previous one.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many derelict sites were cleared by Scottish local authorities between 1955 and 1958 inclusive; and what was the total sum paid in Government grant towards the cost of these clearances.

Information about clearance work carried out is not available. No specific grant for this purpose was payable in these years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to arrest the industrial decline in Ayrshire.

In general, the Local Employment Bill is designed to strengthen the Government's powers to deal with areas of high and persistent unemployment in Scotland and elsewhere. My right hon. Friend is considering in consultation with his colleagues the particular points raised by the deputation from Ayrshire which was accompanied by the hon. Member and which my right hon. Friend received along with my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power on 28th November.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the deputation that saw his right hon. Friend and another Minister was frankly disappointed with the interview? Is he further aware that the position in the area is bad and that it is getting worse? We are waiting for some indication that the Government are even aware of the gravity of the position.

The Government are well aware that there are pockets of unemployment, and that is the reason for the Local Employment Bill. The hon. Gentleman is taking altogether too gloomy a view when one takes into account what is happening at Irvine at present.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that it is a very large pocket which holds 7,000 unemployed? The position has been getting worse from month to month, and there is no evidence of the Government overtaking the position.

That is precisely why we are proceeding with the Local Employment Bill as fast as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he is prepared to contribute towards the cost of extending the pier at Portnaguran, Isle of Lewis.

My right hon. Friend is prepared to consider any proposals Ross and Cromarty County Council as the responsible harbour authority may put forward for improving facilities at Portnaguran Pier by extending the pier or otherwise, and he cannot at this stage say what assistance may be required or approved. Meanwhile, he has offered to consider making the Council a grant of 75 per cent. of the cost of preliminary investigations, and he awaits the Council's reply.

May I thank the Under-Secretary for that very helpful reply?