§ Mr. NEIL M'LEANasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the slate quarries at Ballachulish have closed their quarries owing to a dispute with their workmen; and what steps he intends to take to secure the output of slates from this quarry, in view of the necessity of slate roofing for the housing schemes at present before the country?
§ Mr. WARDLEI have been asked to answer this question. I have had inquiries made into this matter, and am informed that there has been no labour dispute at these quarries which were given up by the company in 1916, and have not been worked since. The plant and machinery were subsequently sold by public auction, and as the quarries are flooded to a great extent no restart is contemplated.