55. Captain SHAWasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will be in a position to make a statement to the House on the progress of the work of the special commissioner for the special areas in Scotland?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)I understand that the commissioner contemplates submitting a general report on his work up to the end of the present month and the intention of my right hon. Friend is that the report should be published.
§ Mr. MAXTONMay I ask the hon. Gentleman under what Vote it would be possible to discuss the work of the special area commissioner for Scotland?
§ Mr. SKELTONThat question should not be addressed to me.
§ Mr. MAXTONWill the Secretary of State for Scotland take the responsibility in this House for the work of the commissioner?
§ Mr. SKELTONI do not think that I could answer that question without notice, further than to say that the commissioner's work could not be discussed under any Scottish Vote in the Secretary's name.
69. Miss WARDasked the Minister of Labour whether any steps have yet been taken by the commissioner for the North-East Coast to set up the promised housing company to deal with the building operations consequent on the Government's slum-clearance policy?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead)My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the reply which he gave on 20th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Consett (Mr. Dickie).
Miss WARDMay I ask whether there is any adequate reason why a housing company should not be established, and whether it is possible to accelerate any plans for dealing with the North-East Coast?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThe answer given on that occasion was that the question was under active consideration, and the matter is being dealt with as quickly as possible.
Miss WARDMay I ask for how long the "active consideration" will extend, because a promise was given to me two or three months ago?