§ 26. Sir William Darlingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that an area of some 20 acres near Musselburgh, described locally as the Eye of Scotland, is being considered for housing or other public purposes; and what steps he intends to take generally to prevent first-class agricultural land from being sterilised in this fashion.
§ Mr. WestwoodI am at present considering a compulsory purchase order in respect of a site of some 27 acres which has been submitted to me by Mussel-burgh Town Council for confirmation, and hope to be able to announce my decision shortly. I can assure the hon. Member that before approving the use of any land for housing or other public purposes, I invariably give the fullest consideration to the needs of agriculture, and that agricultural land is not so used 'unless I am satisfied that there is no suitable alternative site available.
§ Sir W. DarlingIs the Secretary of State aware that this is an important horticultural area for the City of Edinburgh, and will he give an assurance that he will be reluctant to give his consent to any less useful exploitation of that territory?
§ Mr. WestwoodI am certainly aware that in this area we have some of the very finest agricultural land in Scotland or elsewhere. It is my duty not only as the Minister of Housing, but as the Minister of Agriculture for Scotland, to see that the land of Scotland is used to the best advantage.
§ Mr. KirkwoodDoes not the Secretary of State think the time has now arrived when we should take over the whole of the land in Scotland?