HC Deb 09 March 1926 vol 192 cc2087-8
36. Mr. MACQUISTEN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Campbeltown Town Council have selected a site for the erection of houses, under a housing scheme, which involves the building over of an open space in that congested town; that this open space is the only playground for the school children and the young people of the working classes, is the ground also of the Campbeltown and District Football Club, and is also the only practicable show ground for the farmers in Kintyre, as well as the drying ground of a small laundry business employing several people; that protests have been made against this site being built upon by or on behalf of all these parties, and have been disregarded; and that there are at least three other sites, especially a site in Bread Street, which can be obtained for a small feu duty, where there are the ruins of old buildings which disfigure the town and the material wherefrom would tend to reduce the cost of building; and will he exercise his powers under the Housing Acts to prevent the destruction of this open space?

Sir J. GILMOUR

My attention has been directed to the action of the town council in selecting this site, and I have had under consideration protests on behalf of the various parties named in the question. I have caused special inquiry to be made, and I do not consider that the circumstances are such as to justify me in interfering with the decision of the town council, but I am prepared to discuss the matter with my hon. and learned Friend.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

In view of the gravity of covering over open spaces, I would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is not a fact that the official of his office who originally went down to make an inquiry was the same official who, after the complaint was made, went down to revise his own report; and was that not a big strain to put on human nature? Will the right hon. Gentleman take some outside man altogether unconnected with the Scottish Office?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I cannot, of course, accept any reflection upon the official concerned. But, as I said, I am willing to discuss this with the hon. and learned Gentleman.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

There is no imputation. I am only treating him as an ordinary being.