HC Deb 18 July 1939 vol 350 cc174-5
33. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that subsidies have been granted to coal and shipbuilding, and are now granted to the producers of sheep, cattle, sugar, wheat, barley, and oats, he will consider encouraging resettlement of the Highlands of Scotland by making grants for each child of parents living in the Highlands, thereby ensuring the increase of a now diminishing population which has in the past proved of great value to the country?

Mr. Colville

I share fully the hon. Member's desire to maintain a thriving population in the Highlands, but I am afraid the scheme which ho suggests— which could not in my view be confined to a particular area— is not practicable.

Mr. Kirkwood

Seeing that the right hon. Gentleman, as he says, shares my anxiety about this matter, will he not demonstrate to all the world that he is going to put his anxiety into practice on behalf of the Highlands of Scotland?

Mr. Colville

There is a later question on the Paper on this subject.

Mr. R. Gibson

Is the Secretary of State aware that already considerable sums are being paid for boarding out children from Glasgow and Greenock in these Highland homes, and would it not be much better if such grants were made to the heads of these Highland homes to support and nurture their own children?

Mr. Colville

That would raise many difficulties.

Mr. Buchanan

Is the Secretary of State aware that there are some people in Glasgow who think that they should get a subsidy, too?

37. Mr Henderson Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be in a position to make a statement upon the Government's policy for the Highlands; and whether opportunity will be afforded to discuss the statement when made?

Mr. Colville

It is my intention to make a statement before the Recess.

Sir Archibald Sinclair

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, which asks whether an opportunity will be afforded to discuss this?

Mr. Colville

That is not a question I can answer. It is a matter to be dealt with through the usual channels.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is not the right hon. Gentleman in a position to give us an idea of the date when he will be able to make a statement? He said that he would do so before the Recess, but what does that mean? Are we to have this statement in time to have an opportunity of discussing it?

Mr. Colville

I shall make the statement at the earliest possible moment, but I cannot give an exact date.

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