§ Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how long the Department of Agriculture has persisted in refusing slates for the houses erected or subvented by them in Scotland, and insists instead that they should use asbestos slates made abroad; and whether he is aware that this practice has resulted it heavy loss to the slate quarries and those employed therein?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThe hon. and learned Member is under a misapprehension. So far as I am aware, no foreign-made slates are used in these cases. The Department does not debar landholders from using Scottish or Welsh slates, but in the Highlands and Islands the Department's assistance is restricted to the cost of supplying British-made asbestos slates, which are cheaper and of equal durability.