asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any information regarding the progress of the investigation which is being made by the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) into the stone quarrying and stone building industries; and how soon he anticipates the council will be in a position to make recommendations for the rehabilitation of these industries.

The experts who are carrying out the investigation are at present considering technical memoranda and reports submitted by the Freestone Quarrymasters Association and individual quarrymasters, and good progress is being made. I regret that I am not yet able to say how soon the Council will be in a position to submit recommendations, but I have stressed the need to complete the investigation as expeditiously as possible.