§ Mr. M. MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that unskilled workers in the Island of Lewis, working on Government-assisted houses under his supervision, having finished some months of work and fulfilled the contracts concerned, have been refused any wages or consideration whatsoever for their services; and whether he will take action to see that the wages earned are paid and take steps to prevent such occurrences in future?
§ Mr. ElliotWhile the Department of Agriculture for Scotland provide loans to enable crofters to erect houses on their holdings, any contracts for the erection of the houses are made by the holders and not by the Department. I understand that, in order to lessen costs of construction and the amount of loans to be repaid, the crofters themselves provide the unskilled labour required and I have no authority to secure the discontinuance of this practice.