asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the operation of local government in Scotland.

The new local government system has been in operation for only six months. It is far too early to attempt to reach firm conclusions about it. I am satisfied that members and officials are carrying out their responsibilities effectively in the face of difficulties presented in the early stages of the new system and by the present economic situation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the great concern about the vicious rises in rents and rates, while some of the new local authorities spend money like drunken sailors on extravagant schemes such as cheap mortgages and rent allowances for overpaid officials, trips abroad and empire building, while open democracy is threatened by the exclusion of the Press from meetings? Does my right hon. Friend back the call by Labour Members of Parliament and local Labour Party branches for an independent inquiry into the affairs of the Central Regional Council?

Inquiries into such matters are not related to the statutory duties of the Secretary of State. Pay and the home loan scheme are matters for negotiation between the local authorities as employers and the National Joint Council. Indeed, these matters follow from the negotiations which took place earlier in the year. The home loan scheme was related to reorganisation. Guidance was sent out in respect of the scheme by the National Joint Council just over a year ago. The implementation and administration of that scheme is a matter for local authorities which have autonomy in such matters. I am not required and have no right to approve such decisions. This is where the vigilance of ratepayers comes in. I am not required to give approval to every executive act of a local authority, thank goodness.

As well as the concern about financial matters to which the hon. Gentleman referred, there is also concern about the apparent growth in the size of the bureaucracy. Will the Secretary of State say to what extent the number of local officials is now larger than it was before reorganisation?

We have moved from a system whereby there were about 240 local authorities to 65 with different functions. We are making inquiries into the growth of the number employed, but at this stage we do not have the figures. I have emphasised to the local authorities the need to exercise considerable restraint on increasing the manpower of these services, as I am conscious of the difficulties.

Is the Secretary of State aware of the growing view in Scotland that the reform of local government was hopelessly back to front and that Scotland is in danger of becoming the most over-governed nation in Western Europe, with elections to community councils, districts, regions, the Assembly, the Parliament at Westminster and possibly even the European Parliament? Does he conclude that the proper model for a Scottish Government is an Assembly with broad strategic powers, and all-purpose district authorities and community councils with strengthened powers?

This matter was raised during discussions on the Local Government Act. The hon. Gentleman should be conscious of his own responsibilities. The Local Government (Scotland) Act was passed without a Division on Second Reading. The hon. Gentleman's leader was in the House at the time, but said nothing on Second and Third Readings.

Is my right hon. Friend prepared to make a statement on the negotiations between his officials and the representatives of the local government associations on the need for a supplementary rate support grant to allow councils to reduce the ever-increasing rates?

I know nothing about such negotiations. My right hon. Friend the noble Lord, Lord Kirkhill, is meeting local authorities fairly soon to discuss some of these matters. Many of these aspects have been covered and others will be covered in answer to a later Question. It would be wrong to assume that it was feasible to carry out some of the suggestions now being made.

Given that the financial implications of local government are now causing the greatest concern, will the Secretary of State confirm or deny reports in today's newspapers that the Secretary of State for the Environment intends to peg rates in the coming financial year for England and Wales? Given the hammering now being suffered by Scottish ratepayers, does the right hon. Gentleman propose to peg rates in Scotland in the year ahead?

I do not think that there is any question of pegging rates. We are talking about how to contain expenditures. We can take action on money provided by the Government but we have no independent power as regards the raising of finance through the rates. At that point difficulties arise. We are holding negotiations and meetings with the local authorities to improve the situation. I am sure that local authorities are equally anxious to curtail the rates as far as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on forthcoming legislation concerning agricultural tied cottages.

My right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have invited the views of interests concerned on the form the legislation to end the tied cottage system in England and Wales should take, with a view to framing detailed proposals at an early date. However, I have decided that, before any firm decisions are taken on the Scottish position, more time is required to examine the special factors applying in Scotland and for discussions with representatives of the agricultural industry and local authorities.

In the course of his discussions will my hon. Friend also consult the Shelter housing aid project, whose full-time worker has built up considerable experience of the anxiety caused by eviction from tied cottages, which makes up the bulk of his case load? Most of us would find it unfortunate if we were called upon to support legislation to end the system in England and Wales before we knew what the Government proposed to do with the system in Scotland.

The election commitment included Scotland as well. The circumstances in Scotland are different and, therefore, the timing is different, mainly because of the burden on housing authorities. I have no objection to consulting anyone who has anything to contribute, including Shelter.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that agricultural interests—both workers and farmers—have recommended the retention of tied cottages in Scotland?

Yes, that is one of the special differences, but I wish that the farmers would not exaggerate the importance of keeping tied cottages. If the farmers would be a bit more reasonable, we could solve the problem to everyone's satisfaction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the prospects for the Scottish economy for the period to the end of 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the outlook for the Scottish economy.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Dunbartonshire, East (Mrs. Bain) on 15th October.—[Vol. 897, c. 721.]

Is the Secretary of State aware that since that reply a new set of unemployment figures for Scotland has been issued? Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with these figures, and when will the Government assure the people of Scotland that there is a firm prospect of a job for everyone over the next year?

I am aware of the new set of figures issued yesterday. Those figures show, I am glad to say, that nearly 4,000 school leavers are no longer unemployed. There has been some improvement there. I am never satisfied with these figures, but the hon. Gentleman should appreciate exactly what has been done. An announcement was made about the tem-temporary employment subsidy. There are the job creation scheme of the Manpower Services Commission, the recruitment subsidy for school leavers, the training schemes of the Manpower Services Commission, the advance factory provision and the addition made to Section 8 assistance to industry. We have not been idle. I am glad that we had the support of the whole House yesterday for the Scottish Development Agency but I should have liked to have had it earlier. I think that everyone appreciates that we are concerned about unemployment and that we are taking action.

Is not the Secretary of State living in a dream world when he refers to yesterday's figures as an improvement? The seasonally adjusted figures show that unemployment in Scotland at 120,000, excluding school leavers, is increasing at the rate of more than 1,000 every week. Does the right hon. Gentleman still take the view that when unemployment in Scotland reaches 100,000 the honourable course for the Secretary of State for Scotland is to resign? Will he tell us what we failed to find out in 10 hours' debate yesterday, which is how much cash will be available to the Scottish Development Agency in its first year?

The hon. Gentleman should appreciate that we have not yet fixed the vesting day for the SDA. Many of his supplementary questions are not related to the main Question. I am surprised at the hon. Gentleman's concern about the unemployment figure reaching 100,000. Some people—I am one—think that the present figures are far too high but between June 1971 and February 1973, during which period the hon. Gentleman was an occasional Minister, the unemployment figures were never lower than they are now.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the difficulties currently facing hill farming in Scotland.

Returns from lamb sales and the early calf sales show a marked improvement on last year. I hope that the assurances we have given to beef producers about the level of their returns next year will have a beneficial effect on hill farmers' receipts from the sales that have still to take place.

Does not the Minister appreciate that the figure for current calf sales in the hill farming areas compared with the 1973 figure is £3 per hundredweight lower? Bearing in mind the tremendous rise in costs over that period in all kinds of agricultural expenditure, does not the Minister agree that the least he can do is to arrange for earlier payment of the hill cow subsidy and the retention of the £10 calf supplement?

The hon. Gentleman has asked about three questions in that one supplementary question.

Answer one of them.

I shall answer them all, if the hon. Gentleman will give me peace. Yes, we are well aware that, although, as I said, the prices have increased compared with last year, they are still not up to the 1973 figures. Equally, all—including the agricultural community—should be aware that our attempts to control rising inflation can make a significant contribution to maintaining cost levels, and cost levels are as important as the price which is received at the end of the day.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he is next going to meet representatives of the district and regional councils.

My noble Friend the Minister of State will be meeting representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on 24th October to discuss financial matters.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a working party consisting of representatives from the Strathclyde Regional Council, the Lothian Regional Council and the Edinburgh and Glasgow District Councils has been formed to consider the possibility of holding the 1984 Olympic Games in Scotland? Will he consider sympathetically any recommendations that the working party makes to the effect that the Olympic Games should be held in the West of Scotland with certain events being held in the East of Scotland? Will the right hon. Gentleman also give serious consideration to any recommendation to the effect that the 1982 European Games should be held in Edinburgh, and will the Government do everything within their power to encourage sport in Scotland in connection with the 1982 European Games and the 1984 Olympic Games?

We are doing everything we can to encourage sport in Scotland. The two proposals referred to by the hon. Gentleman are not yet firm proposals. It is a little early to ask for Government reaction because no proposal has been put to the Government. If any proposal comes to us, we shall examine it carefully, but there would be serious public expenditure implications in either of the proposals and we are already in a period in which public expenditure constraints are severe.

When the Minister of State meets representatives of the regional and district councils, will he meet representatives from Tayside Region and Perth and Kinross District to seek ways and means of ironing out the dreadful duplications in planning procedure whereby the district council agrees planning permission and Tayside Region withdraws it?

That is a detailed question which I shall be glad to pursue on another occasion. When the convention comes to meet Ministers, the convention decides which of its representatives should come.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a major problem about the use of sporting facilities which are intended for wide use is the cost of transport to centres, for example, between Motherwell and Hamilton such as the Strathclyde Regional Park, which the Government support? Will he examine whether the Government are over-providing on capital but not sufficiently providing on operating subsidies?

Operating subsidies for transport have never been a factor in sports provision. In a period of public expenditure constraint there is an overall difficulty about the provision of new capital projects in a number of spheres because they inevitably attract running costs, too. We have to look at both capital expenditure and running costs together.

Will the Minister improve upon the inadequate answer given by his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith)? Does he not appreciate that the Secretary of State for the Environment has stated that he intends to keep rate increases in England and Wales down to the level of inflation? Can the Minister explain why this policy is suitable for England and Wales, but a similar policy is not suitable for Scotland, given the present appalling rates problem?

I cannot remember the question, but I am sure that the answer given by my right hon. Friend was perfectly adequate. If the hon. Gentleman is referring to cash limits, this is a matter that will be discussed with the local authorities on Friday.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now announce the names of the successful contractors for the bridges linking North and South Kessock and from Findon to Ardullie both on the A9.

Discussions about the possibility of finding a cheaper way of building the bridge at Kessock are still in progress. I have not yet invited tenders for the bridging of the Cromarty Firth.

Does the Minister realise that grave concern is spreading over the Highlands of Scotland due to the indecision by the Government about these projects and that the A9 is a vital link to the industrial development of Easter Ross, which we all hope will thrive but which cannot do so to the full until this matter is dealt with satisfactorily? Does he realise that we can take a road to the water but only the Secretary of State in Scotland has the power to make it cross?

It is quite an expensive crossing at present. I am not sure what the hon. Gentleman meant when he mentioned indecision. The statement about the Kessock bridge was made only at the end of July and there have been discussions since then with a number of people, including the Inverness Harbour Authority. A number of alternative possibilities have already been explored. A crossing of this sort, for which the lowest tender was more than £30 million, requires serious consideration, particularly when Opposition Members are constantly telling us to save public expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with present schemes for the modernisation of Scottish housing.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 14th May.—[Vol. 892, c. 122.]

Will the Minister consider reviewing his answer and bear in mind the needs of non-traditional type houses, which were built around the Second World War with the encouragement of the then Government? Will he bear in mind that steel houses are badly in need of renovation and modernisation? What hope can he give the tenants of these houses? Will he apply special help to meet their special needs?

If the hon. Gentleman had asked that question, I should have been able to give him a more helpful reply. The sorting out of priorities within the modernisation schemes and the generous allocations made by the Government is a matter for the local authority. I am well aware of the urgent situation of some of the non-traditional houses, especially if there is any element of fire risk due to faulty wiring. However, that is primarily the responsibility of the local authority.

Will the Minister bear in mind the recent rejection by his Department of a scheme for the Linlathen first development in Dundee, which was referred back to the local authority because it was too expensive? Has there been any reduction in the standard and improvement of houses in recent months by the Department as a result of the Government's cash squeeze? If so, how many such projects throughout Scotland have been referred back to local authorities?

I am sorry to disappoint the hon. Gentleman, but there has been no reduction in the standard of housing. I emphasise that it is not a cash squeeze but an insistence by the Government that we get value for money. I assure the hon. Gentleman that we want to maintain the highest possible standards for council houses and, indeed, for any other kind of houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Scottish fishing industry.

During my recent visit to Aberdeen Fish Market I had useful informal talks with representatives of trawler crews and owners and fish buyers. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I are meeting representatives of the United Kingdom fishing industry tomorrow.

We were glad to see the right hon. Gentleman in Aberdeen and are pleased that he is to meet the industry tomorrow. However, at the conclusion of his visit to Aberdeen did he realise that the fishing industry was in the middle of the worst crisis for a generation? Is he aware that the United Kingdom trawling fleet is contracting faster than any other fleet in the EEC and that, although there was a welcome improvement in earnings in July and August, each vessel of the Scottish fleet that sailed from Scotland was still making a loss of around £5,000 per quarter after subsidies? Tomorrow will he give some assurance to the industry that we shall end the stop-go, hand-to-mouth procedure of the subsidy and introduce long-term security and viability in the industry?

It would have been better for long-term security and viability if this had been done by the hon. Gentleman's hon. Friends when they were in office. We introduced the subsidy to meet conditions that had arisen. I am aware of the conditions of the distant water fleet. I am equally aware of the cause. I shall listen tomorrow to representations from the fishing industry. I hope that we shall be able to do something about some of these problems. The hon. Gentleman knows as well as I do just how complex they are. They are not simply limited to landings or the number of boats that are fishing, but are related to other matters.

Is the Secretary of State satisfied with the arrangements that have been made for regular meetings with the fishermen? Secondly, has he discussed the fouling of the fishing grounds with them and is any solution in sight? I take this opportunity of thanking the Scottish Office for kindly sending me a letter on this matter, because it is of great importance to Shetland.

We regard this as being of considerable importance in view of the international negotiations taking place. I assure the right hon. Gentleman that my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State has given special attention to this matter and will continue to do so. He will keep informed those hon. Members who have special interests in the fishing industry.

Will my right hon. Friend agree that the most important factor in obtaining confidence, stability and viability in the long term is a fundamental change in the common fisheries policy of the Common Market?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that we have started on a review of the common fisheries policy. During that review we shall bear strongly in mind the special interests of the United Kingdom as a coastal and important fishing community. We shall continue to give priority to what we consider our exceptional needs.

Will the Secretary of State inform the House of the investigations that are taking place into the optimum size of the fishing industry? Will he consider introducing a scrapping subsidy, using money from EEC funds that are available for such a purpose?

The hon. Gentleman is too pessimistic about this matter. If he reads some of the answers that will be given, not to the Aberdeen section of the industry but to others, he will get some surprising figures. At present I do not consider that it is right to introduce a scrapping subsidy.

Has my right hon. Friend impressed upon the Foreign Secretary that the Scottish fishing industry is constrained already by the Icelandic fishing limits? Will my right hon. Friend also comment on the fact that possibly what is needed is not a scrapping policy but a scrap-and-build policy for the Scottish fleet?

My hon. Friend knows that the unilateral decision by the Icelandic Government has created certain difficulties. We are in negotiation about it and it would be wrong for me to say any more at this point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman please not dodge the issue as put to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Sproat)? The fishing industry was in a very much stronger state economically 18 months ago. I accept that much of the deterioration has been entirely outwith the control of Government, but the responsibility for meeting the present situation rests on the Government because they are the Government. Whilst this short-term help is welcome and helpful, what the industry needs is longer-term assurances, a better long-term plan. Even if it means restructuring, will the right hon. Gentleman impress upon his colleagues in the Government that the industry wants to know what is to be spent in the long term rather than exist, as it does at the moment, on a hand-to-mouth basis?

The hon. Gentleman has had responsibility at the Scottish Office and has had some concern for this situation. One of the great uncertainties of the industry is the whole question of limits and the effect of the common fisheries policy. Until one gets a settlement on the limits, it would be foolish to settle optimum size and other related matters. I remind the hon. Gentleman that we took action to deal with the circumstances which arose. He has a wonderful habit of forgetting his past and simplifying these complex problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the date for the erection of a building in Kirkcaldy to accommodate the Fife School of Nursing.

Mr. McElhone.

Hear, hear.

I am grateful for those comments. I am not sure whether they indicated sympathy or conversion.

I congratulate my hon. Friend on his appointment to the Government and on his first appearance at the Dispatch Box. No doubt his humour and wit will be sorely taxed in his new responsibilities.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his kind comments. I am aware of his concern to have this building situated in Kirkcaldy, but the decision to locate the school in Kirkcaldy was taken by the health board's predecessor, which was the South-East Regional Hospital Board. So far as we know, there is no question now of any other location being chosen. I have no doubt that that will please my hon. Friend. But this is a matter for the local health board.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had about the percentage increase in rates, particularly as it affects those areas which were small burghs before local government reorganisation; and if he will make a statement.

Representations have been received from the Scottish Federation of Ratepayers and others, particularly about relief of increases which are large in percentage terms. Massive assistance to the relief of rates is given through rate support grant, and the residual burden does not appear to be unfairly distributed among ratepayers.

In the first instance, will my right hon. Friend be prepared to publish in Hansard the actual and percentage increases in the rates of the small burghs in this financial year? Will he look at the possibility of introducing transitional rating in the next financial year in the district councils?

I will reply to my hon. Friend's last point first. A reversion to the old special district rating is just not on within the new set-up. It cannot be done.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that small burghs had lower rates because they were more economically run and had fewer services? They still have fewer services. Will he do something to ensure that those that had fewer services in the past and that were economically run do not have to pay for the services of extravagant regional authorities that they do not have?

What surprises me is that so many hon. Members opposite have so suddenly come across something which was so basic to local government reorganisation. The whole basis of that reorganisation was to do away with the differences between town and country and to bring together a natural and extended community. Where there has been a reduction from over 240 to 65 rating authorities, it is inevitable that, in the process of creating uniformity of the rating system, there will be increases for some people, some of them quite high.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, due to the action of the Conservative Government, all classes of people are now suffering from the changes in local government and that, particularly in the type of area mentioned by the hon. Member for Dunbartonshire, West (Mr. Campbell), people in council houses are suffering very much?

Let us be fair. There are certain factors. I was Secretary of State for some six years and took office again in March 1974, and I have a good memory of what has happened in local government reorganisation, with positions taken up and people learning about needs they would never have known about had they not been implicit in the reorganisation.

I congratulate the Government on the rate support grant of 75 per cent. The ever-increasing rate burden facing Scotland is due to two factors. The first is the increasing cost of local government reorganisation, for which the Labour Party had no responsibility. The second is the general inflation rate of 26 per cent. in spite of the tremendous efforts of the Government. Will my right hon. Friend make a supplementary estimate to increase the rate support grant to local authorities which are suffering from these factors, which were caused by Government and not by local councillors?

I think that my hon. Friend should appreciate what I have already said on this subject. When we determined the rate support grant for the local authorities we struck upon a figure of likely expenditure. In fact, the local authorities have budgeted for £60 million more than that. Of course, the year has not ended and it does not end until the spring of next year. Although they have budgeted for £60 million, I have urged them not to spend that sum and to build up a reserve for rates for the future. I cannot accept everything that my hon. Friend says and I could not do what he asks of me.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the deputation that came to see him was shocked and appalled by his totally complacent and insensitive attitude to severe rate rises which could not have been anticipated? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his job is to fight for Scotland, and that he is failing in that job at every turn? Is it the case that the right hon. Gentleman told the deputation not only that he had failed to get an interim relief scheme, but that he had failed to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether such a scheme might be available for Scotland?

We considered an interim relief scheme but we thought that it would be unfair to Scottish local authorities. For example, it might well have been the case that the hon. Gentleman's constituents would have received nothing from such a scheme. Indeed, they would probably have had to have paid higher rates to support the scheme to benefit those with a rate poundage last year of about 50p. If the hon. Gentleman had been in my position, I think that he would have come to the same conclusion with a view to being fair to everyone concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will pay an official visit to Alloa.

My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to do so.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that the threatened closure of the Messrs. Donbros factory in Alloa is in that town the equivalent of a job loss of 45,000 in the Glasgow district? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that locally a decision has been made across party lines, and with trade union agreement, that the matter merits his personal attention? Will he take this opportunity to state his views on the threatened closure, the threatened removal of Scottish machinery, work and brand names to England and the lack of union consultation in advance of the closure notice? Will he confirm that he will continue to use his good offices to exert pressure on the main board of Messrs. Coats Patons to ensure that production capacity is retained at Lornshill, Alloa?

I have already met the STUC, the unions involved, the managements of Coats Paton, Donbros and the hon. Gentleman. I was in touch with the unions again about this situation only today following a meeting which they had with the management yesterday. This is not a simple question of transferring work from Scotland to England, as I think the hon. Gentleman knows. In any case, Coats Paton is a Scottish controlled company. I accept what the hon. Gentleman says about the serious nature of the problem. The position is that decisions about redundancies and the closure were deferred so as to allow further negotiations to take place. Those negotiations are taking place. There was a meeting yesterday, but I understand that no solution has yet been found. However, all the factors involved, including the possibility of other work, are being considered at the moment. I have said to management and to the trade unions that if there is anything I can do to help in this situation, I shall do it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to increase the number of doctors in the Scottish Health Service.

A planned expansion of the number of places at Scottish medical schools is taking place and by 1979 the annual intake figure of medical students should be increased by 50. This will be sufficient to offset an anticipated reduction in the number of overseas doctors and to secure a net increase overall.

Nevertheless, will my right hon. Friend confirm that even if that position were reached we should still have a doctor shortage? Will my right hon. Friend consider seriously the position of young people who hold a non-medical first degree and who are refused grants to go to medical school? Is he aware that a number of working-class people in that position cannot go on to medical school? If we made an exception for people in that category, bearing in mind the possibility of a potential doctor shortage, we should go some way towards redressing the present balance.

I think that it is wrong to talk about a doctor shortage in Scotland. In this context Scotland is reasonably well off as compared with England and Wales. The number of general practitioners in Scotland has been increasing annually. The result is that the average number of patients on doctors' lists has dropped to below 2,000. That is not the position elsewhere. I know that the hon. Gentleman has written letters about people who want to get into medical schools and who have already taken a degree course. It is a basic principle of the student award system that a candidate is assisted for one degree only. At present there are no vacancies—in other words, all the places have been taken up. Scotland meets more than its own needs in the training of doctors. Indeed, it meets the needs of other parts of the United Kingdom and other parts of the world as well.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the strong feelings of frustration and anger presently held by many Scottish junior doctors? What representations has he made to ensure that the interests of the Scottish medical profession, and all Scottish medical interests, will be fully represented on the Royal Commission that the Prime Minister has appointed?

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman knows this, but I was present at the meeting yesterday with the representatives of the profession. I can assure him that the Scottish aspects of the matter will be borne well in mind.

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that one way to increase the number of doctors in the Scottish health services would be to encourage them not to emigrate? Does he agree that he could do that by continuing with the hospital building programme and by continuing with the preparation of further phases at certain hospitals where the work is progressing in phases? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that that would be one way of increasing the number of doctors?

An awful lot is being made of emigration, but the figures for the Scottish hospitals show that emigration this year is not as high as it was two years ago, and not as high as it was in the late 1960s. We must also take into account that some of those who are leaving Scotland were not born in Britain. The British born medical people who have emigrated overseas during the year ending 30th September 1975 amount to 48. Let us not make too much of this issue.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in the planning and construction of the health centre in the Springburn constituency.

The Greater Glasgow Health Board has now determined the site for Springburn Health Centre, and preliminary sketch plans based on a revised schedule of accommodation should soon be available.

I add my congratulations and best wishes to those heaped upon my hon. Friend, and deservedly so, since his appointment.

I am grateful for the kind and generous remarks that my hon. Friend has made about my appointment. I am also aware that he has been taking a great deal of interest in this project in his constituency.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet the representatives of the teachers' associations in Scotland.

I have no immediate plans for such a meeting.

Will my right hon. Friend arrange for such a meeting at an early opportunity? Will he remind Scottish teachers how much money the Government have put into teachers' salaries and will he also make another attempt to get the EIS to call off its work-to-rule, which is damaging the education of so many Scottish children? Will he further tell them that many hon. Members, as well as people outside, regard with shame and abhorence the threat to extend the work-to-rule to schools for the physically or mentally handicapped? Will he emphasise that such a suggestion reflects little credit on a profession which should have and claims to have at heart the well being of Scottish education?

I have no desire to see the work-to-rule extended and I hope that wisdom will prevail. I agree with my hon. Friend's remarks about special schools. If there are any issues on which it would be valuable for me to have discussions with the associations, I shall be prepared to arrange such a meeting. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State who has just taken over responsibilities in this sphere has already had informal discussions with the union leaders and is meeting the EIS on 7th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had regarding the allocation of investment for a proposed new sports complex in Dunfermline; and if he will make a statement.

Representations have been received from both the former Dunfermline Town Council and the present Dunfermline District Council and my officials have recently discussed with the authority's officials possible modifications of the council's proposals. Whether investment can be allocated for any part of the project in 1976–77 will depend on the total investment available for recreational projects in Scotland, the relative needs of other authorities and the scale of Dunfermline's modified proposals.

I, too, wish to congratulate my hon. Friend on his appointment. Is he aware that the only sports complex in Dunfermline is the public baths building, which is about 80 years old? Is he also aware that the building is unhygienic and, by modern standards, a fire hazard? Will he give a promise that he will visit the building in the near future?

I am grateful for my hon. Friend's opening words.

asked the Lord Advocate if he will make a statement on the probable division of his official duties between the Scottish Assembly and the United Kingdom Parliament; and how many additional staff the establishment of a Scottish Assembly will require the Crown Office to recruit.

asked the Lord Advocate to what extent the work of his Department will be affected by the establishment of a Scottish Assembly with the powers set out in the Government's most recent White Paper on devolution policy.

Like all other aspects of devolution, these matters are under consideration. As the hon. Gentlemen are aware, it is hoped to publish a further White Paper on devolution next month which will set out the Government's proposals in detail. It would be premature for me to express any views on the likely effect of devolution on the duties of my office or the work of my Departments.

Even though it might be premature for the Lord Advocate to anticipate what may happen to his Department in respect of the functions or duties of the Scottish Assembly, does he appreciate that it is important that the Assembly does not impose additional tax and staff burdens on the Scottish people? In anticipation of the White Paper, will he take steps either to prune the Department, if it is to be increased, or to make sure that these burdens do not apply?

The answer to the first part of the supplementary question is "Yes". The second part obviously must depend on the arrangements put forward by the Government in the White Paper.

Will the Lord Advocate give an assurance that the future role and powers in his hands and in the hands of the Solicitor-General for Scotland will be spelt out in great detail next month in the White Paper on devolution? Will he also inform the House whether any consideration has been given to the possibility of some form of department of justice to ensure uniform progress of Scots law?

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that these are complex questions which are now under close examination. He and other hon. Members will have to await the White Paper.

As the Lord Advocate is aware, there is an acute shortage of legal advice in certain parts of Scotland, including my constituency. Will he bear that matter in mind when he considers the future of the legal arrangements in Scotland and ensure that if any extra work is created by a Scottish Assembly this aspect will be reconsidered?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I take note of the point.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend arrange in the White Paper to give a detailed statement of present and future patronage powers of the Lord Advocate?

I must repeat that this is a complex and difficult matter which obviously will come under consideration. I take note of my hon. Friend's desire to probe deeply.

What representations has the Lord Advocate received about the legislative needs of Scotland on law reform in view of the Cabinet backsliding reported in this morning's Scottish Press? What guidance has he given to other members of the Government about the importance of legislative reform by the Scottish Assembly?

I shall continue to give what advice and guidance I can on these matters. Representations about Scotland's legislative needs will clearly be considered along with all the other matters that I have mentioned.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that all these questions and much expense will be avoided if we do not have an Assembly?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Lord Advocate what further consideration he has given to priorities for law reform following the establishment of the Scottish Assembly.

I have nothing further to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. Wilson) on 9th July last.

Is the Lord Advocate aware that there are those in this House who realise that he recognises the importance of an Assembly which can discuss law reform in Scotland? Will he bear in mind that since it appears unlikely that the present Government will give time to divorce law reform and to consideration of the recommendations of the Clayson Committee, reform should be made a matter of priority? Will he also bear in mind the possibilities of reviewing conveyancing laws with a view to reducing the costs of house purchase?

I recognise the hon. Lady's interest in law reform, which I share, as she was kind enough to recognise. However, this again is a matter that must await the White Paper. Clearly, if we are to have genuine devolution it would be wrong to set out what we believe to be the priorities for law reform.

Does the Lord Advocate realise that the needs in many areas of Scots law reform cannot afford to wait until the Assembly is established, since it may be two years before that body is able to consider the matter? Will he accept that in the sphere of divorce law reform the Clayson Committee recommendations and many other recommendations of Lord Hunter's Commission are presently gathering dust, and that it is necessary for the Government, this Parliament and the Parliament to come in the near future to bring forward proposals for consideration?

Nothing I have said will make any difference to that situation. I was not suggesting that there was not a heavy responsibility on Westminster to deal with urgent matters of law reform. However, the hon. Gentleman must await the Queen's Speech.

We respect the desire to improve the law of Scotland and we are interested to hear when the Lord Advocate is to bring forward further proposals about land tenure reform to deal with such cases as affect some of my constituents who are tenants at will and who cannot obtain improvement grants because they do not have feudal tenure.

I can only take note of these matters, which are of great importance. The hon. Gentleman can rest assured that the Government are aware of the importance of these matters and of finding legislative time for them.

asked the Lord Advocate what recent representations he has received regarding the reform of Scottish divorce law.

None, Sir.

Does not the Lord Advocate agree that the overwhelming opinion in Scotland today is that Scottish divorce law should be brought into harmony with English law? Will he undertake to bring the maximum pressure on his Cabinet colleagues to see that the Queen's Speech includes a specific pledge to give Government time to the reform of that law? Does he not agree that if this is not done, it will be an insult to the Scottish people on a subject that is so important for the happiness of so many, especially if it is said that no Government time can be given to the subject when we all know that on Friday we are to spend an unlimited time discussing the Hare Coursing Bill?

The hon. Gentleman exaggerates. I disagree that there is an overwhelming feeling among the Scottish public that there should be the kind of divorce reform he seeks. He is asking me to be a go-between between him and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. It appears that the hon. Gentleman is the only person who does not appreciate that legislation on this matter is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend. Perhaps he would find the Government's reply more fruitful if he directed his submissions to the Secretary of State.

Has the Lord Advocate had an opportunity to study the report of the Select Committee on Violence in Marriage? When do the Government hope to take a view on the recommendation of that Committee that a Bill dealing with Scottish divorce should be introduced as a matter of high Government priority?

I have read the report. However, I must answer the second part of that question by saying that it is not a matter for me.