§ 3. Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has recently had with the North-East of Scotland Water Board; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Development, Scottish Office (Mr. George Younger)Following representations which the board recently made to my right hon. Friend, he is arranging for discussions to be held with the board shortly about future responsibility for water supply in South Kincardineshire.
§ Mr. HughesWhen the Minister meets the board, will he recollect from the 444 correspondence that both the board and Kincardine County Council regard his proposals to treat South Kincardine as an added area to the East of Scotland Water Board as a departure from the principles of the Wheatley Commission Report and the Government's White Paper? How can he justify this bearing in mind that he does not regard these proposals as being necessarily permanent? Will he meet the board with an open mind?
§ Mr. YoungerWe are aware of the points made by the hon. Gentleman and others and by the board, and these will be carefully borne in mind in the discussions.