§ 5. Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the building industry is now suffering from a shortage of stonemasons; and what steps he is taking to encourage the training of masons so that the use of stone may be revived in Scottish house-building and help to ease the shortage of bricks and other materials.
Commander GalbraithAt the end of last year there were 68 outstanding 776 vacancies for stonemasons Instruction in stonemasonry is included in pre-apprenticeship courses for the building industry and in evening classes at a number of centres.
§ Mr. MaitlandWill my hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind the possibility of using stone and the revival of the use of stone in Scottish house-building, particularly in view of the shortage of other materials?
§ Mr. James McInnesIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that at one time the stone industry employed 20,000 skilled stonemasons, 10,000 semi-skilled stonemasons, and that 10,000 were engaged in the transportation and quarrying of stone, whereas today the figure is fewer than 2,000; and will he undertake to expedite and publish the report of the various commissions who are inquiring into this industry?
Commander GalbraithOn behalf of the Scottish Council for Development in Industry the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research have just completed a comprehensive inquiry into the stone industry in Scotland. My right hon. Friend proposes to await the Scottish Council's recommendations before reviewing the situation further.
§ Mr. McInnesDo I understand from that reply that the report will be published?
§ Mr. John MacLeodIs the Scottish Office keeping in touch with the interesting work being done by the Hydro-Electric Board in building their power-houses of stone?