§ 25. Mr. T. HENDERSONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what grounds the city of Glasgow is not scheduled as a special area under the Special Areas Act, 1934; and whether it is the intention of the Government to include the city of Glasgow as an area which will be entitled to operate the provisions of the Special Areas Reconstruction (Agreement) Bill?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Lieut. - Colonel Colville)It was decided by Parliament that the experimental treatment provided for in the Special Areas Act should be concentrated upon the areas specified in the Schedule thereto, which cannot be extended without legislation. It has been made clear in the House that it is not. proposed to apply the further experimental scheme provided for by the Bill to which the hon. Member refers outside those areas at present.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that, although Glasgow is not scheduled, it is much worse than areas that are scheduled, and will he not see that legislation is brought in to bring Glasgow within the Schedule?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI cannot promise legislation, but all relevant factors are taken into account.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the whole report shows that things in the Western area of Scotland are worse even than they are in Wales, and is he not ready to do something in the matter?
§ Lieut. - Colonel COLVILLEThe matter was very fully debated when the Act was passed, and all circumstances were taken into account. It was decided to concentrate in the first instance on certain areas.
§ Mr. N. MACLEANWill not the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the publication of the appendix of the report of the Special Commissioner in order that the House may know exactly what the circumstances were in Glasgow at the time the investigations were made, and whether or not Glasgow ought to be included in the Schedule?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThat is a separate question which I cannot answer without notice.