§ 10. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the serious menace to the health of school children in certain schools in the Isle of Lewis and other isles of the Hebrides of out-of-date and in sanitary lavatories and lack of proper water supply; and what early action is proposed to remedy this position?
§ Mr. ColvilleI am aware that several schools in Lewis and in the other isles of the Hebrides do not possess up-to-date sanitary arrangements and are in need of better water supplies; but I have no evidence that the conditions in any school can be regarded as a menace to health. If the hon. Member has any such case in mind and can supply me with information regarding it, I shall inquire into the matter without delay. As regards the second part of the question, the Scottish Education Department and the education authorities concerned are aware of the desirability of further improvements. The matter is, however, as the hon. Member knows, part of the general problem of water supply in these areas upon which I am not in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. MacMillanIs it the practice that the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to take action with regard to water supplies, and can he say in what way they are going to tackle this problem and that of sanitation in these Islands?
§ Mr. ColvilleA considerable amount of improvement has taken place over the last 10 years in the arrangements provided in the schools in these Islands, but the general question of water supply in these areas, as the hon. Gentleman knows, is a very difficult one owing to expense.
§ Mr. WestwoodIs it not the fact that it is always a menace to health if there is not an adequate water supply in any particular area?
§ Mr. ColvilleOther arrangements have been made which enable me to say it is not actually a menace to health, but I agree that it is highly desirable that there should be an adequate water supply.
§ Mr. MacMillanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the moment there is a serious epidemic of dysentery and other contagious diseases in the Island of Benbecula?
§ Mr. ColvilleMy answer will show that I have no evidence of a menace to health in these schools as the result of insanitary conditions, but if the hon. Member has any facts to lay before me, I will look into them.
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsDoes my right hon. Friend think that many tourists will go there if the hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Malcolm MacMillan) advertises the disabilities of these places?