§ 4. Mr. McKINLAYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the annual output of slates from the quarries of Scotland; the proportion which this output bears to the total requirements of the house-building industry in Scotland; and whether the home production could be increased to meet the total Scottish demand?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThe estimated annual output of slates from the quarries of Scotland is 5,900,000. This represents about 16 per cent. of the total annual requirements of the house building industry in Scotland. As to the last part of the question, there is no statistical data from which an answer could be drawn, but I have no doubt that home production could be substantially increased.
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSWhat is the hon. Member doing to encourage home production in this case?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONOne thing we have done is to send a circular to every local authority in Scotland recommending them to use Scottish slate.
§ Major ROSSAre not Irish slates much better?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONNo, Sir.
§ Major ROSSWill the Under-Secretary make further inquiries on that matter?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONWe have already made inquiries.