§ 61. Mr. BARCLAY-HARVEYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to make any statement with regard to the proposed appointment of a. committee to consider questions affecting economic development in Scotland?
§ 63. Miss HORSBRUGHasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to state what steps have been taken to set up an advisory committee on Scottish industry; and, if so, whether he can give the names of those constituting the committee and state what are the functions?
§ Mr. ERSKINE HILLasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make any statement regarding a Scottish advisory committee on industry?
§ Sir G. COLLINSYes, Sir. The Scottish National Development Council after discussion with myself have appointed a special Committee representative of Scottish industry, finance, transport, travel, and labour, of which the Chairman is Sir James Lithgow. The Committee will examine the possibilities of 2001 improving economic conditions in Scotland. It will also consider questions affecting the extension of existing, or the creation of new, industries that may be referred to it by industrial, commercial, or public bodies, or by the Commissioner for the Special Areas (whose efforts on behalf of these areas it will seek to assist and supplement), and will suggest measures that could usefully be undertaken through the council. In addition, it will consider such questions affecting Scottish economic conditions as I may refer to it. The Committee will receive a grant-in-aid from the Commissioner in respect of its work for the Special Areas, and arrangements have been made to maintain close contact between it and the Government Departments primarily interested in industry. With the hon. Members' permission, I will circulate the membership of the Committee in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. MATHERSWill the setting up of this Committee enable the Secretary of State for Scotland to interest himself in the question, for example, of the Forth road bridge, regarding which he has denied any responsibility up to the present time?
§ Sir G. COLLINSNo. That is a matter for the Ministry of Transport.
§ Mr. McGOVERNCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many members are on this Committee?
§ Sir G. COLLINSAbout 15, representative of all interests.
§ Following is the Membership of the Committee:
§ The Committee, which will have power to co-opt additional members and to form sub-committees for specific purposes, will consist of the following members:—
- Sir James Lithgow, Bart., M.C., Chairman.
- Sir Steven Bilsland, Bart., M.C., Vice Chairman.
- Earl of Elgin, K.T., C.M.G., LL.D., T.D., President Scottish National Development Council (Ex-officio member).
- Mr. John Ballantyne, O.B.E., J.P.
- Mr. W. Lindsay Carlow, J.P.
- Mr. Andrew Clarke.
- Mr. W. A. Collins, D.S.O.
- Mr. Robert Crichton, J.P.
- Mr. Frank J. Donald.
- Mr. N. F. Graham Donaldson.
- Mr. N. W. Duthie, C.A.
- Bailie William Elger, J.P.
- Mr. William Gallacher.
- Mr. C. N. Gallie, J.P.
- Dr. A. M'Cance.
- Dr. J. Donald Pollock, O.B.E.
- Sir John Sutherland, C.B.E., LL.D.
- Mr. William Whyte.
- Secretary-General—Sir William Good child, C.M.G.