§ 3. Mrs. Mannasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will call for a report from the chief constable concerned on the disappearance of Moira Anderson from Coatbridge on 23rd February, 1957, and the carrying away of Betty Nicol, Airdrie, this year, in order to satisfy himself that both cases are being adequately dealt with by local police constabulary.
§ Mr. MaclayI have no responsibility for local police operations, but I have received reports on these cases from the chief constables concerned which show that extensive inquiries have been and are being made to trace Moira Anderson and to discover the assailant of Elizabeth Nicol.
§ Mrs. MannIs the Secretary of State aware that my constituents are gravely anxious about the long delay in regard to these two girls and there being no arrest? Could he advise the seconding of the two detective-inspectors who were already sent from Glasgow to Lanarkshire in the late Manuel case?
§ Mr. MaclayOf course, I am well aware of the concern that must be felt about these two very sad cases. Concerning the second part of the hon. Lady's question, it is entirely a matter for the chief constable whether assistance from an outside force should be asked for.