Town Development Act, 1952

HC Deb 18 November 1952 vol 507 cc1572-3

36. Mrs. Mann

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the Town Development Act, 1952, has not been extended to Scotland.

Mr. J. Stuart

The reason is that the Scottish conditions differ in character and extent from those with which the Act is designed to deal. Suitable action will be taken in Scotland as the need arises.

Mrs. Mann

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, in view of the difficult distribution of the population in Scotland, and particularly in view of the Report of the Advisory Council on planning our new homes, the Town Development Act, 1952, is particularly suitable and necessary to Scotland?

Mr. Stuart

My advice is that we have no particular overspill problem in Scotland. The Act to which the hon. Lady refers dealt with overspill population.

Mrs. Mann

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that one half of the population resides in the Clyde Valley, that there is de-population in the Highlands, and a great need for overspill accommodation throughout the Clyde Valley; and that most urgent of all is the question of the money that is required? Why should England get the money, and Scotland be left without?

Mr. Stuart

The Clyde Valley Regional Planning Advisory Committee has dealt with, and is considering at the present time, the problems of the Clyde.