asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average time taken to bring a legally-aided case for appeal from the Scottish courts to the House of Lords; and what is the average time taken for a decision in such cases.

On average, nine-and-a-half months and eight weeks, respectively, but actual times vary widely.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman regard this as scandalous? Is he aware that the overall average length of time between cases leaving the Court of Session and being heard in the House of Lords is 10½ months and that recently it has been between three and four months after a case has been heard before a decision has been given? Will the Secretary of State take steps to try to speed up this process? This is far too long.

With regard to the last part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, the longest period which occurred in a recent case was just over three months, but the average, as I have said, is eight weeks.

That is too long.

That may be the hon. Member's feeling, but he will, I think, agree that it is not for me to comment on the conduct of business in another place. The length of time taken in getting these cases to the House of Lords is not unreasonable in view of the great deal of work which has to be done.

Can my right hon. Friend say how many cases have been brought since the scheme began and what the total cost so far has been?

Ten cases have been brought and the total cost is just over £1,200.

Would not a great deal of time in the House of Lords be saved if Scots people would accept the decisions of their own courts and not bring cases to the House of Lords unless they are matters which concern the whole of Britain?

I do not think that the House would like me to comment on that suggestion. Scotsmen should avail themselves of whatever rights they have if they so wish.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in slum clearance in Edinburgh since 1959.

About 3,600 unfit houses have been closed or demolished since the beginning of 1959 up to the end of March of this year.

In welcoming this advance, may I ask my right hon. Friend what further progress might be expected? Can he tell the House that it is not lack of funds which is holding things up? Is it, perhaps, a shortage in the building force?

The position, I understand, is that Edinburgh Corporation has a number of schemes on hand and is ready to go forward with them. This should certainly increase the rate of clearance. I am not aware of any shortage of funds, although I know, as do other hon. Members, that there are shortages of certain skills in the building trade.

Is the Secretary of State aware that Edinburgh Corporation has the worst housing record of any of the large towns and that, under the Tory Government, a Tory town council has not been able to reach even its own inadequate targets?

I am sure that we all hope that Edinburgh Town Council will catch up.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions there have been for offences under the Deer (Scotland) Act, 1959.

From the time the Act came into operation until the end of December last, proceedings have been taken against 76 persons.

Does my right hon. Friend consider that the Act is working satisfactorily and that we now have the measure of these cruel cowardly games?

It is fairly satisfactory that of the 76 persons against whom proceedings have been taken, 65 have been fined. The numbers have probably decreased since the passing of the Act. I do not think that it can be criticised on the ground that more cases have not been brought. It looks as though the Act has achieved its purpose.

How many of the prosecutions were against crofters who were trying to protect their holdings?

I have no information on that point.

Can the Secretary of State give an idea of the nature of some of the offences for which prosecutions were instituted?

If the hon. Member would like full details, I will try to get them for him, but I cannot give him the answer without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the results of his recent discussion with the Chairman of the Herring Industry Board.

The discussion which I have had with the Chairman of the Board has satisfied me that the mistake which was made over the buying price at Stornoway last winter was an isolated error.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I am not sure that fishermen will regard it necessarily as just an isolated error? Is he further aware that after this new revelation as to how the Herring Industry Board has conducted its affairs, there is a real and, I think, enduring crisis of confidence among the fishermen on the issue of how their money is used and whether it is used well or not? How, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board, does my right hon. Friend propose to meet this real feeling among the fishermen?

The Chairman of the Board has been in office for two years. A new Board was then set up. I believe that his explanations to me of the mistake which occurred over the Stornoway price were very frank and full. The measures which he is taking to prevent such a thing happening again, and particularly his suggestion of closer co operation with the fishing industry itself, will, I hope, quickly re-create full confidence.

Apart from the question of closer co-operation with the fishermen, to what further measures does my right hon. Friend refer?

As I told the House, the Chairman is initiating some new administrative arrangements. I have not yet seen them, but he is going to send me a copy of them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when there will be a uniform set of building regulations in force in Scotland to guide those concerned with the construction of new buildings.

A comprehensive and uniform set of building standards regulations came into operation on Monday, 15th June, and the Building (Scotland) Act, 1959, as a whole also came into operation that day. I hope that this code will prove of great benefit to all concerned in the building industry and to all its clients.

Is it not the case that, with the promulgation of these regulations, Scotland is ahead of both England and Wales? Could my right hon. Friend say what provision there is for altering these regulations in respect of new and improved methods of building in future?

It is true that Scotland is ahead of England and Wales at the moment. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works has just announced his intention of introducing legislation modernising building control in those countries. I think that both he and I are alive to the fact that, where possible, as suggested by the Ban-well and McEwan Younger Committees, these regulations should be dovetailed together. In answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I agree that at no given moment will any set of building regulations necessarily be the last word. We shall watch the position, and if there is need for changes we will make them.

Surely these are the building regulations which came before the House on a Prayer a short time ago when the hon. Gentleman was not sufficiently interested to be here. Were not these the regulations in respect of which his Department earned a rebuke from the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments for irregularities?

That may well be true. I cannot say whether my hon. Friend was here or not. I think that there are very few people in the House or in Scotland who are not pleased that we are going forward and are ahead of England and Wales in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of authorities in the current year receiving £12, £32 and higher basic subsidies, respectively, under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1962; and how the average subsidy so received compares with the rate payable before that Act was passed.

Claims by 113 local authorities for the basic subsidies under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1962, have so far been settled for the financial year 1963–64. Fifty authorities have qualified for £12 per house in respect of a total of 1,222 houses, and 63 authorities for £32 or more in respect of a total of 6,742 houses. The average subsidy paid on these claims is £30 11s. per house, compared with the flat rate of £24 per house paid under the Housing and Town Development (Scotland) Act, 1957.

Is it not clear that these changes in the subsidy provisions are helping very considerably with the housing programme in Scotland?

The number of tenders approved this year would suggest that my hon. Friend was right.

If that is so, why was it that we built a greater number of local authority houses in the year before these things were available compared with the number built after?

I am not sure to which year the hon. Gentleman refers, but certainly the figures for this year show a very encouraging rise.

Can the Secretary of State say how a comparison of the two subsidy rates which he announced this afternoon is relevant when in a Written Answer yesterday to a Question which I put to him he stated that the comparisons which I suggested were not too dissimilar were irrelevant? What justification does he have for refusing hon. Members information which is available to him?

I do my best to give hon. Members all the information available to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is expected that the main new trunk and motorway system planned for central Scotland will be completed.

Subject to the provision by Parliament of the necessary funds, I expect the trunk road and motorway proposals outlined in the Central Scotland White Paper to be substantially completed within 10 years.

Can my right hon. Friend tell the House what the plan amounts to in miles of road?

Seventy-nine miles of motorway and 206 miles of trunk road. Of these, 14 miles of motorway and 116 miles of trunk road, including one or two pre-war sections, are completed or in hand.

Is this an "Irish" 10 years, because nine years ago I received a letter from the Secretary of State for Scotland indicating that there would be a dual carriageway from Uddingston to the English Border in 10 years' time? The most difficult parts of this road have not yet been completed, and there is only one year to go.

I think that the whole House is aware of the extreme difficulty of forecasting with accuracy what will happen in 10 years' time. The House will have noticed that I said,

"Subject to the provision by Parliament of the necessary funds … "

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what the average annual figure for completions of new houses in Scotland was in the periods 1945–51 and 1951–63.

The average annual numbers of houses completed by all agencies, including temporary houses, in the periods 1945–51 and 1952–63 were 20,857 and 31,502 respectively.

Can my right hon. Friend add to that satisfactory reply any forecast about the progress of slum clearance?

I have told the House that our aim is to increase the number of Houses to 40,000 a year. If this is achieved, we should hope that 20,000 of these would be available directly for slum clearance purposes.

Is it not disappointing that, taking the first period mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, the figures rose from 2,000 within the average for the first year to 28,000 after three years, whereas, in the second period he has taken, the total fell from 39,000 completed in 1953 to 28,000 last year? How does he explain that?

In exactly the same way as I have explained it to the House on many occasions. As anyone who has even looked at the problem understands, we have moved from building on comparatively easy green sites to central redevelopment of towns and that is bound to be slower and more difficult.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many appeals in connection with the Winter Keep Scheme have been heard, and how many are still outstanding.

The total number of appeals received up to 31st May is 2,286. The number which has been settled is 1,174 leaving 1,112 still outstanding.

Of the 1,174 which have been heard, how many have been successful and how many unsuccessful?

The number of appeals granted is 517, and 104 have been refused. The remaining 553 appeals were withdrawn by the farmers after consultation with officers of my Department.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman is aware that many farmers in the upland areas of Lanarkshire are suffering greatly because they cannot benefit from the Winter Keep Scheme, although they benefited considerably from the previous system? What representations has he had from those farmers, who have to work very hard indeed for a very small return?

Is the hon. Lady referring specifically to those who produce milk?

indicated assent.

If that is the case, then, in this category, 262 appeals have been received. Of these, 66 were subsequently withdrawn after discussion with my Department, and in 60 cases my Department now considers, after detailed assessment, that the occupier is not dairying to a material extent and the appeal has been granted. Certainly some people have had their winter keep reduced or have fallen out of the Scheme, but on the other hand many hundreds have come into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland by what date all the appeals in connection with the Winter Keep Scheme are likely to be heard.

I hope that the appeals at present outstanding will all be dealt with by the autumn but there may be some further appeals still to come in.

Is the Secretary of State satisfied with the rate of progress, especially since many appeals are still to be heard and perhaps some will not be heard until late in the autumn, and will he say whether those whose appeals are heard late in the year suffer financially as a result?

The answer to the last part of the supplementary question is "No". I think that progress has been quite satisfactory and I would pay tribute to the appeal panel, whose members have given a great deal of work and time without payment in order to achieve that progress. One must bear in mind that during the winter period it is much more difficult to assess this kind of problem. On the whole, progress has been good.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the estimated number of tourist visitors to Scotland in 1963.

The Scottish Tourist Board's latest report estimates the number of visitors in 1963 as 5·1 millions. These figures are based on returns from Scottish hotels and guest houses. They include visitors from England and Wales, from other parts of the United Kingdom and from overseas.

Do not these figures show that the tourist industry will and must play an increasingly important rôle in the Scottish economy? What estimate has my right hon. Friend of the number of visitors to Scotland over the next few years?

I see no reason why the numbers should not continue to go up. It is difficult to split up the available figures, but I see that the British Travel and Holidays Association has estimated that the number of overseas visitors to Scotland last year was 710,000. This was a considerable increase over any of the previous three years.

Does that figure include the hon. Member for Inverness (Mr. N. McLean)?

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that one factor this year causing concern to the tourist industry and to the Tourist Board is the number of cancellations, stretching as far ahead as to the end of August, made of hotel bookings as far south as the Border following the Aberdeen typhoid outbreak? Will my right hon. Friend soon make an authoritative statement about the outbreak and the clearance of the trouble, as this affects tourists from the south of Britain considering visiting Scotland during the season?

All I can say at the moment is that among the 5 million people I mentioned one would expect a certain small number of cancellations. That is only natural. The epidemic seems to be dying down now and I have every hope that the available tourist accommodation in Scotland will be full again very quickly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total cost of the pulp and paper mill project at Fort William; and what amount is now being advanced by the Government through local authority investment on houses, schools and roads.

I am informed that the estimated total cost of the project is of the order of £20 million, including working capital. Identifiable Government expenditure on roads, housing and schools is estimated at about £3 million.

In view of the importance of this project to the whole of north and north-west Scotland, will my right hon. Friend make sure that the necessary funds are available from the Government for the development of ancillary services, especially for roads and access to the pulp mill and roads to get the timber out of the forests, since these at present are not adequate for the scale on which this factory will function?

Officers from my Department have been keeping in very close touch both with the authorities of the pulp mill and with the local authorities in order, as best they can, to make certain that these and other ancillary services are adequate by the time the mill opens.

Would it not be fair to the local authorities which have to provide these services to allow them as cheap a rate of interest as he is making available to the authority building the pulp mill?

The local authority in whose area the mill is being built will have very considerably better assets as a result of this project.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many beef calves were certified in Scotland during 1953 and in 1963, respectively.

Two hundred and fifty thousand four hundred and sixty-six calves were certified for calf subsidy in 1953 and 429,402 in 1963.

Does my right hon. Friend consider that this increase will be sufficient to meet the demand for good quality calves in Scotland, particularly in view of the present rather uncertain situation of beef supplies overall?

It is very difficult to forecast this with certainty, but I do not think one could regard an increase of 70 per cent. in 10 years as unsatisfactory, because the raising of beef calves is a comparatively slow process.

How much is paid per beef calf?

If the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question on that I will answer it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the programme for the building of the Tay Road Bridge is up to schedule; and by what date the bridge will be open to traffic.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Doig) on 15th June.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that this progress reflects great credit on the Scottish contracting firm concerned? I understand, however, that it is running into more difficult conditions as it approaches the south side of the river. Will this have any effect on the cost of the bridge?

I do not think at the moment that there is any likelihood of the cost which was forecast being exceeded. At the moment, we are running well within the estimated figure. It is a little difficult to forecast questions of delay in the remainder of the building of the bridge because that depends so largely on things like the weather, over which the contractor has no control. But he is well ahead of his programme at the moment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider engaging this contractor to see that roads are also built as speedily as the bridge so that they will be there when the bridge is ready?

I am certain that this contractor's record has been noticed by many people, not only in the Scottish Office but also outside. If roads are wanted he will have the same opportunity as anybody else of obtaining the contract.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the object and achievements of his recent official visit to Moscow.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his recent official visit to Moscow.

Yes, Sir. I visited Moscow from 21st to 25th May to attend the British Agricultural Exhibition. The exhibition was markedly successful in attracting visits from high ranking Soviet Ministers and from agricultural specialists from many parts of the Soviet Union and beyond.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any concrete results have yet been obtained as a direct result of his visit? 'Can he say whether the Russians have a palate for 12-year old corned beef?

I did not discuss the second question with any of the Ministers whom I met in Russia. I am not certain what concrete results could have been achieved as a result of my visit. The exhibition as a whole has had very useful results and I hope that my visit may carry these forward into the future.

Is it true that the right hon. Gentleman caused a tremendous sensation in Moscow and completely stole the publicity from Marlene Dietrich and Major Yuri Alexeyevitch Gagarin by appearing in a kilt? Does he intend to lend this kilt to the Foreign Secretary? Can he tell us whether he was really impressed by Communism in Russia and found that it was not such a terrible, awful nightmare after all?

I am not certain that the Foreign Secretary would wish to have my kilt, or that it would fit him, but I am sure that he will note the hon. Gentleman's suggestion. There were many things in the course of my visit to the exhibition in which I found a great deal to interest me in Communist agriculture.

As one who visited the exhibition, may I assure the right hon. Gentleman that I was enormously impressed by the way in which it was put on and by the keenness and ability of the people who were running it, and, as far as I could judge, the very great interest of leading Soviet people and ordinary Soviet citizens? It seemed to be admirable.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for those words. As he probably knows, I was interested in the very start of the exhibition some years ago. I should like to join with him in paying tribute to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Gibson-Watt) and others who played an excellent part in running the exhibition.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the hydroplane suggested for the North Isles service in Orkney.

The hydrofoil built by Aquavion in Holland has qualified for a Class III passenger certificate from the Ministry of Transport and is due to start a two-month period of temporary passenger service in the North Isles of Orkney as an experiment. Unfortunately an engine broke down shortly after the craft arrived in Orkney, and repair may take a little time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are naturally greatly interested in the progress of this vessel, whose development is rather overdue, and that we are glad to hear that this further repair may be the last? Can he say whether there is any evidence of its performance in rough water?

We have no direct evidence of its performance in very rough seas and I think that for this reason the certificate will lay down what are regarded as safe operating conditions for it. The whole of the rest of Scotland will be interested in this experiment to see whether there are further ways in which craft of this sort can be used.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what outlets he anticipates for Shetland herring this season; and what steps are being taken to expand the continental market.

I understand that the normal outlets are available for freshing, quick-freezing, curing and reduction to oil and meal.

Was the right hon. Gentleman able to discuss the subject of Russian imports of herring when he was in Russia? Can he give any idea of the quantities which may be taken by the Continental markets which he has mentioned?

I regret that I did not have an opportunity to discuss herring with the Soviet Minister for Trade and I do not have an estimate from the Herring Industry Board of what may be taken, but if the right hon. Gentleman would like the figures, I will ask the Board to provide him with them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that while expansion of the Continental markets for herring is necessary, those markets are limited and there is a need for an expansion of the markets for herring all over the world, especially in Australasia? Will he take steps to see that the Herring Industry Board undertakes a campaign in those countries to assist the home industry to sell its products abroad?

I entirely agree about the importance of getting these markets. I eat herring myself whenever I get the opportunity—and I expect that my hon. Friend does. I am sure that the Herring Industry Board will take note of what he has said about further publicity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many factory farms there are in Scotland; and how often each is visited, on average per year, to ensure that there is no cruelty in the methods employed to prepare the animals for the market.

As was indicated in reply to a Question by the right hon. Member for Clackmannan and East Stirling (Mr. Woodburn) on 29th April, while there has been some development of intensive broiler and egg production, there is nothing in Scotland which can be described as a factory farm, although there are one or two projects now being developed which might be described as such.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take a close interest in this sort of development to see that the conditions which prevail in Scotland are an improvement on those now prevailing in England? Will these projects be rated as industrial projects? Are they qualified for farm subsidies? Will the right hon. Gentleman take note of the cruelty in the rearing of these animals? Is he aware that during their brief lives veal calves under this system are kept in almost continuous darkness, seeing daylight for only two brief half-hours each day when they are fed? Will he see that these conditions are not recreated in Scotland?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and I are setting up a technical committee to study the problems of factory farms. I cannot answer the hon. Gentleman's question about rates and subsidies, should these farms be created in Scotland, because it is a hypothetical question.

The right hon. Gentleman says that the committee is just being set up. Is he aware that it is nearly two months since the Minister of Agriculture told me that, and that, evidently, nothing has been done so far? When is the committee to be created?

As soon as possible, my right hon. Friend or I will announce the membership to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were built n the Scottish new towns in the 12 months ended 30th April, 1964; how many houses were under construction at that date; and how these figures compare with those for 12 months previously.

In the year ended 30th April, 1964, 2,202 houses were built in the Scottish new towns compared with 1,449 in the previous year. Four thousand five hundred and forty-three houses were then under construction compared with 3,261 a year earlier.

How does this good progress compare with that being made in England?

Very poor.

I am sorry to disappoint the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Willis). In the last financial year, both Cumbernauld and East Kilbride completed more new houses than any other new town in Britain did.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Glenrothes, which is in a development district, completed fewer houses in 1964 than in 1963? Can he explain that?

Without notice, I could not explain it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Edinburgh Corporation concerning gambling clubs and the giving to local authorities of powers of licensing and inspection; and what action he proposes to take to limit their unrestricted growth and to ensure that adequate safeguards against fire and other dangers are enforced.

The Edinburgh magistrates have recently suggested to me that local authorities should have some control over gaming clubs and other clubs providing entertainment in order to prevent the use of premises which are insanitary or unsafe in case of fire.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while we are glad to know that he is going to do something about these dangers arising from fire, all the other matters concerning these clubs are of great moment to most of the local authorities in Scotland, and that there is widespread anxiety among ordinary people about the manner in which these clubs are springing up here, there and everywhere? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time has come when he ought either to license them or to do something about them? Is it not rather absurd that a betting shop has to have a licence, but that one can open a gambling club without any controls at all?

As I think I have said to the House before, it may well be that some legislation or some new control may be necessary. I do not think that the evidence is sufficiently clear on this, but if new legislation was required a good deal of consultation would have to take place with the local authorities and others concerned.

But is not my right hon. Friend aware that there has been concern about this problem not only in Edinburgh but in other parts of Scotland for a considerable time? The South-East Regional Fire Board, of which I have some knowledge, is very concerned about this. What steps, if any, can my right hon. Friend take in the meantime to see that people who frequent these clubs are protected against the fire risks which are so worrying to the fire authorities?

Apart from the legislation which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has announced to the House, I understand that Edinburgh Corporation itself is at the moment preparing a provisional order which will enable it to require adequate fire precautions to be taken.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give more thought to this matter and reconsider his whole attitude? Is he aware that, quite apart from the fire risks involved, many people in Scotland are concerned about this whole question of the unrestricted growth of these gaming houses? Will he, for instance, look at the debate of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in this respect? This is not purely an Edinburgh matter, but something which is affecting the life and attitude of the whole of Scotland.

I am well aware of the feelings often expressed—well and clearly—by sections in Scotland about gambling.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress with the reconstruction of the road from Gairloch to Braemore in Wester Ross.

A series of schemes is being carried out under the Crofter Counties Programme to reconstruct this road. Twenty-six out of the 44 miles have been completed; work is in progress on five miles and will be authorised this year on a further five. Two more schemes will be required to reconstruct the remaining eight miles, and these will be authorised within three or four years, as the work now in hand is completed.

As the tourist traffic is continually increasing, and as there is no railway in this region, have those factors been taken into account in the standards laid down for the reconstruction of this road?

Yes, Sir. All the road which has been reconstructed since the war, or which has still to be rebuilt—about 32 miles from Aultbea to Braemore—is being provided with an 18-ft. carriageway.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the series of schemes for the reconstruction of the road from Ullapool to Kylesku Ferry to be completed.

The reconstruction of the 33 miles from Ullapool to Kylesku Ferry is being carried out by Ross and Cromarty and Sutherland County Councils with 100 per cent. grant under the Crofter Counties Programme. The work will be complete in mid-1965.

Can my right hon. Friend say how much this will cost, and by whom the cost will be met?

The likely cost is about £1·6 million. As I have said, it is met under the Crofter Counties Programme, so no part of the cost will fall on the local authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the concern caused by the growth of the typhoid epidemic in Aberdeen, he will set up an independent committee of inquiry to investigate both the causes of the epidemic and the manner in which it has been handled.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, Burghs (Dr. A. Thompson) on 8th June.

I am aware of that reply, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it does not satisfactorily answer the latter part of my Question about an inquiry into how the outbreak was handled, particularly at the central departmental level? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of anxiety about the administrative procedures which are set in motion when an outbreak of this kind occurs? Will the Secretary of State consider extending the terms of reference of the Committee to look at the administrative problem, so as to allay any anxiety which may exist?

I do not think that I should like to increase and widen the terms of reference of this Committee, because I think that it is of the greatest importance that we should get quick answers to the main problem at which we have asked the Committee to look.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that, without waiting for any inquiry of any kind, the work and skill of Dr. MacQueen and his staff have diminished this epidemic and enabled Aberdeen quickly to recover its ancient reputation as a clean and healthy seaside resort?

Yes, Sir. The hon. and learned Gentleman knows that on several occasions in the House I have praised the efficiency of Dr. MacQueen, his staff, and the hospital staff, and I think that the House can now see the effects of this in what we hope is the almost completely successful containment of the disease to Aberdeen, and the very rapid rundown in new cases.

Is it not the case that the central administration has worked very well in tracing contacts in other cities, and that those cases of typhoid which have broken out in other cities have all been known of and suspected before the actual case was confirmed?

I thank my hon. Friend for reminding the House of that fact. Medical officers of health in the rest of Scotland have been very quick in getting on to likely suspected cases.

We can congratulate the medical officers of health on being very much quicker off the mark than the Government were with regard to the withdrawal of the corned beef. It was nine days before we got a statement on the matter from the right hon. Gentleman. Can he assure us that the terms of reference are sufficiently wide to enable us to get a proper investigation and to draw the right lessons in respect of the import, distribution, control, and early withdrawal of suspected corned beef?

I think that it is likely that the inquiry will give us this information, but if, as a result of the inquiry, the Government and the House consider that further points need looking into, it will of course be possible to consider those later.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many unfit and other houses have been replaced since 1955 in Scotland in general and in the City of Glasgow in particular.

Known replacements to the end of 1963 were over 118,000 in Scotland, including about 24,000 in Glasgow. I have no information about wholly private replacements.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that information, which I think is very helpful indeed, may I ask whether he will bear in mind that the people of Glasgow are becoming a little tired of so much being pulled down and not enough going up? Not enough houses are being built in Glasgow to meet the demands of redevelopment. Will my right hon. Friend bear that in mind when future redevelopment schemes are being formulated?

As I said to the House in answer to an earlier Question, the problem nowadays is that many of our new houses are being built in the centre of cities in redevelopment areas, and it is necessary to pull down before one can put up.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why it is that since the Government's slum clearance drive started in 1958 the number of slum houses dealt with has gone down steadily from 11,000 in that year to only 8,600 in 1963?

And they are now going up again.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for extending the motorway section of A.8 when the Harthill bypass has been completed.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given on 15th June to the hon. Member for Lanarkshire, North (Miss Herbison).

Can my right hon. Friend tell me when the Harthill bypass is likely to be completed?

The completion date is spring, 1966, but if the contractor is able to keep to his accelerated programme the main part of the bypass should be opened to traffic by the spring of 1965, with a temporary connection back to the existing trunk road.

I welcome the belated pre-election interest of the hon. Member for Glasgow, Kelvingrove (Mr. Lilley) in this road, but I deprecate the lack of any co-operation from hon. Members opposite in the past when hon. Members, including myself, through whose constituency this road runs, were fighting for it. Since the double carriageway from Baillieston to Newhouse was completed six months ahead of schedule, and since the right hon. Gentleman recently informed me that the Harthill bypass was months ahead of schedule, may we take it that instead of waiting for five years for the completion of this road from Edinburgh to Glasgow the completion date will be at least one year before that?

I hope that the hon. Lady will prove to be right. I understand her constituency feelings about the road, but I am sure that she will realise that many of us who do not live in her constituency will also be using the road.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the second reactor at Hunterston will be commissioned; and what the output will be.

The South of Scotland Electricity Board expects that the second reactor at Hunterston will be commissioned some time next month, and that it will have an initial output of 150 megawatts.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this will give great satisfaction locally?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to the main contract work now being practically run down there has been an upsurge of unemployment in the area, stretching from Irvine to Largs? Can he indicate how many permanent jobs will arise when the electricity board brings the generator into operation next month?

I cannot give the hon. Member those figures without notice, but one of the problems of finishing any great construction work is that jobs disappear.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the report of the working party of officials set up to consider the question of local government reorganisation has yet been considered by the steering committee of elected members; and if he will now make a statement on the subject.

The working party's first report was published last week. The introduction records the steering committee's agreement that it should be accepted as a basis for further consideration, and that the working party should proceed to examine possible boundaries. This is now being done.

Does the Secretary of State agree that there has been undue delay in this matter? What recommendations are being made by the steering committee, and what steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking to implement its recommendations? Can he expedite the matter?

The delay was not unexpected. I did not hope at any stage that all these very difficult and concentrated problems would be settled for a considerable time—and they will not be, yet. Copies of the report of the steering committee are in the Vote Office, and I am sure that the hon. and learned Member will be interested to read it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that up to the end of 1963 the number of firms in Aberdeen granting day release to students for study in Aberdeen Commercial College in commercial and distributive subjects was less than in building, engineering, printing and similar subjects and was also less than in comparable English cities; and what steps he has taken to rectify this disparity since his letter of 10th December, 1963, to the honourable and learned Member for Aberdeen, North, on this subject.

Education authorities were asked in a recent circular to take steps to achieve increased support among local employers for all day-release courses, and I am confident that there will be a significant improvement as a result of the measures being taken under the Industrial Training Act. In Aberdeen, work started in January on a new commercial college which will provide greatly improved facilities.

Does the Minister recall the correspondence that I had with him some time ago about this matter of training? Does he agree that the extension of day release is very important for trade, industry and employment in Aberdeen? Will he attend to that aspect of the matter and see that something is done quickly?

I remember the correspondence that I had with the hon. and learned Gentleman. I entirely agree with him, and I should like to see an extension. The local education authority is doing its best to bring about what he and I both want.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will now give legislative effect to the Wheatley Report on matters relating to the teaching profession.

I cannot add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 22nd April.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his reply is a scandal of the first order, and that this Report has been in his hand for over a year? Is not this just another example of the utter incompetence of the present Government in dealing with educational matters? Now that the right hon. Gentleman is faced with a threatened strike of teachers in Scotland as a result of his delay, despite the repeated warnings of my hon. Friends and myself, will he take steps to reassure the teachers on the question of the uncertificated members in their midst and give some reassurance to parents that the teachers will be as qualified as the doctors and dentists who examine their children? Will he treat this matter as one of great urgency?

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman that this is a scandal. He knows as well as most other hon. Members that this cannot be done without legislation, and there is no question of legislation this Session. I am sure that he does not expect me to anticipate next year's programme. The problems which the Committee had to take into consideration were the question of striking a proper balance between the requirements of the education service and the interests of the teaching profession. This it has done, and there is a great deal to be discussed before final decisions are reached. As for the strike, like many other hon. Members I regret threats of this sort, because they are bound to raise doubts in the minds of hon. Members and the public whether the teaching profession should be given wider powers to control its own affairs.

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to introduce legislation concerning public libraries and museums in Scotland.

Legislation ought in my view to await the outcome of the present review of local government organisation. I have had no representations from local authorities that it is urgently needed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the speech made by the Chairman of the Scottish Libraries Association regretting the fact that Scotland was excluded from the provisions of the recent Public Libraries and Museums Bill, and that although the Bill was very limited in scope there were nevertheless certain advantages which Scotland could have derived from it but of which she has been deprived? Will he consider the question again?

I was aware of the speech. We are in the process of considering a complete reorganisation of local authority functions and boundaries in Scotland, and I think that we should await the result of that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many miles of motorway have been completed in Scotland.

None, Sir, as yet.

Earlier on the right hon. Gentleman was complimenting himself on putting forward building regulations quicker than his colleague in England and Wales. It is all right for him to compliment himself on that, but is he aware that 300 miles of motorway have been completed in England and Wales? Why is it that there is such a great delay in Scotland?

I am delighted that the hon. Member should think that my stating the facts amounts to my complimenting myself. The need for motorways in England is of a very different order from what is required in Scotland.

Is it not the case that many miles of motorway are under construction? Can my right hon. Friend give some indication of how many miles will be opened, say, in three years' time?

I would hope that about 19 miles would be opened.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has completed his investigations into the extent and nature of the practice by Scottish courts of remanding persons in custody before trial; and if he will make a statement.

The investigation is nearly completed. I am proposing to include the main information obtained in the annual Prisons Report which should be ready for publication by the end of July.

May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that it was in February that he told us that this investigation was to take place? Will he bear in mind that at the end of July there will be no opportunity to comment on what is said in the Report? Will he ensure that we have the Report early in July, and not at the end of the month, so that we may have some chance of saying something about it in the House?

I will try to give the hon. Member the information as soon as it is available. But, as he knows, the detailed analysis of a great many cases is a fairly slow operation.

Is the Minister aware—he said it himself—that they were taking a selection of cases, only a sample of cases, extending over two months in order that this matter might be examined in some detail thoroughly and quickly? Surely this is something which ought to have been done long before now?

I think that it has been done as quickly as has been possible.

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether any approach has been made by the Ministry of Defence for permission to answer Question No. 69 now, in view of the very serious position which arises? Have you had any request from the Ministry for permission to answer this Question?

No, I have had no such request.