Sir John Macleod: asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he invited local authorities to phase their regional schemes for rural water supplies and to put their smaller schemes in order of priority, in view of the fact that he is not going to accept their recommendations.
Sir John Macleod: On what grounds does the right hon. Gentleman base these selections, because in my constituency the county council would not select them in the way they have been selected?
Sir John Macleod: Can the Minister say if firms which are prepared to employ disabled ex-Servicemen will get priority in machinery which they may require to employ these men?
Sir John Macleod: Is it not a fact that if the Government had a policy for the Highlands and treated them as a development area, it would decrease unemployment in Glasgow?
Sir John Macleod: Can an early opportunity be given for a discussion on the Government's afforestation policy?
Sir John Macleod: Has the hon. Gentleman looked into the possibility of flying boat services in those areas?
Sir John Macleod: Owing to the very unsatisfactory state of the woollen spinning industry, surely the Minister ought to know the figures of that industry if he is looking seriously into it?
Sir John Macleod: Owing to the importance of the tweed trade in the Western Isles and the unsatisfactory state of the woollen and spinning industry, would the Minister give all facilities and priority to the setting up of spinning mills in the Highlands of Scotland, thus helping the unemployment question in the Western Isles by supplying them with yarn?
Sir John Macleod: Many points of detail have been raised this evening and as many Members still wish to speak, I shall try to be as brief as possible. I was going to say that this Bill was, no doubt, welcomed by all farmers, but, after hearing the speech of the hon. Member for Thornbury (Mr. Alpass), I feel that as he represents the farmers in his own constituency, such a statement would be false. However, I...
Sir John Macleod: Mr. Deputy-Speaker, thank you for giving me these three minutes in which I am allowed to make one or two points. The hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. M. MacMillan) said he was proud of the private enterprise of the man who built his house with his own hands. I would ask the Secretary of State to make sure that he gives the crofters the opportunity to improve their own houses with their...
Sir John Macleod: asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the utility furniture available for the United Kingdom is allotted to Scotland.
Sir John Macleod: While I thank the President of the Board of Trade for his reply, does the right hon. Gentleman know that house furnishing firms in the North of Scotland are six and seven months behind in their deliveries and that they feel they are not getting a very fair share?
Sir John Macleod: So many maiden speeches have been made since 9th October that it appears almost an act of hardihood to ask the House once again to display its traditional patience. Nevertheless, I feel sure that the House will not depart from its customary practice on this occasion and I thank you, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to speak on this Bill. Many of us on this side of the House...
Sir John Macleod: asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is going to set up a working party to investigate the woollen textile industry; and if so, will he consider, in view of the widely differing nature of the two industries in England and Scotland, establishing separate working parties for each country.