Mr William Hannan: asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now give a firm assurance that the school-leaving age will be raised to 16 years as from 1972–73.
Mr William Hannan: That statement will be welcomed by all of us on this side of the House, and I think by some hon. Members opposite. Would it not be intolerable if the school-leaving age went up to 16 in England and Wales and not in Scotland? Though I understand the problems of the teachers, surely with the provision of the necessary extra accommodation and an increase in the number of graduates, the...
Mr William Hannan: asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many approvals were granted in respect of houses to be built by Glasgow local authority in each of the years 1968 to 1970.
Mr William Hannan: That reply is an abuse of the procedure of Question Time. But sometimes we happen to know the answers before we ask the Questions, so may I ask the hon. Gentleman this: in view of the declining number of approvals, does he agree that the declining number of approvals automatically means a decline in the number of houses constructed? Do not the figures show a wanton, criminal neglect of its...
Mr William Hannan: On a point of order. In view of the most unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.
Mr William Hannan: Even at this early hour I am grateful for the opportunity to raise in this short Adjournment debate the subject of the implementation of Part III of the Social Work (Scotland) Act, 1968. I could have wished that it had been at a more convenient hour for Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Minister and Officers of the House. Although there is no obvious widespread public anxiety expressed about the...
Mr William Hannan: They are out talking to the lobbyists.
Mr William Hannan: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?
Mr William Hannan: May I get clear exactly what the hon. Gentleman is proposing? Is he arguing that the payment of fees should be extended beyond the provisions in the Bill and that fees should be charged for all schools? Will he clear up the contradiction between what he says and what the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Education said—that the question was not fees, but selectivity? I hope that the...
Mr William Hannan: Will the hon. Member make it clear that that passage referred not so much to fee-paying in local authority schools as to grant-aided schools?
Mr William Hannan: asked the Prime Minister whether he will make an official visit to Glasgow.
Mr William Hannan: If the Prime Minister goes to Glasgow, will he direct the attention of the Tory-controlled local authority to its declining housing programme at a time when housing records are being broken in the rest of Scotland? Secondly, as regards the special assistance which he proposes to give to Glasgow, will he ensure that it is devoted to such purposes and not to reducing the rates, as was done with...
Mr William Hannan: asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of houses under construction in Glasgow at end of May, 1968, and those approved awaiting start; and if he will give corresponding figures for May, 1969, and May, 1970.
Mr William Hannan: In view of those figures, how can the hon. Gentleman utter the reply which he gave to my hon. Friend on the Front Bench a few moments ago? In comparison with the record housing figures in Scotland during the same years, these figures must surely give the Government concern. What steps will the hon. Gentleman take to reinvigorate and do something with the Tory-controlled Glasgow Council to...
Mr William Hannan: asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from teachers' organisations in Scotland expressing support of his policy regarding local authority fee-paying schools.
Mr William Hannan: In the absence of such representations and support for the Government's policy from those qualified to express views, is it the intention of the present Government to proceed with political dogma in this matter instead of bringing reason to bear? Is the hon. Gentleman in favour of apartheid in intelligence as well as in race?
Mr William Hannan: How many applications have been received from the City of Glasgow, and how many houses are involved?
Mr William Hannan: asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what research is being conducted by his Department into the relationship of the consumption of alcohol as a contributory factor in the commission of crimes and offences including crimes of violence.
Mr William Hannan: Probably to the relief of hon. Members, I, too, propose to be extremely brief. Although I shall later have a serious criticism to make, I congratulate my right hon. Friend on introducing the Bill. It is intended to rationalise existing medical resources to prevent factory accidents. Those of us with some experience of these matters see earlier plans maturing in my right hon. Friend's...
Mr William Hannan: Would the hon. Gentleman tell the House what Scottish university this was?