HC Deb 23 June 1953 vol 516 cc1660-1
14. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many instances he has used the powers given him under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1947, to encourage industry in the Highlands; and what plans he has for the future.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

With the approval of the Secretary of State two local authorities in the Highlands have exercised their powers under the planning Acts to provide either sites or buildings or both for industrial development. My right hon. Friend is ready to give most sympathetic consideration to any similar proposals put forward by the local authorities.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but does he consider that industrialists are fully aware of the considerable advantages which can accrue to them in establishing satellite factories in the Highlands under this scheme? Furthermore, does he not think that the Secretary of State has in his hands a powerful means by this method of establishing small, suitable industries throughout the Highlands?

Mr. Stewart

I quite agree with my noble Friend, and I wish that more industrialists knew about it, but I also wish that all local authorities who have the opportunity would investigate the possibilities of this matter and exercise their powers.

15. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, to give farmers and crofters in the north every possible encouragement to increase the nation's food supply, he will introduce legislation to create a North of Scotland food-production and marketing organisation with the same financial facilities as those enjoyed by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

While my right hon. Friend is anxious to encourage food production by every possible means, he does not consider the introduction of legislation on the lines suggested an appropriate step for this purpose. He would be interested, however, to receive from my noble Friend details of the kind of organisation he has in mind.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but does he not consider, apart from the difficulties of basic services and transport costs, that the main need for development in the Highland area is money, and could he not do something to meet this need more speedily in the Highlands?

Mr. Stewart

I think that is a pretty general desire.

Mr. McNeil

Though the hon. Member assures his noble Friend that his right hon. Friend is most anxious to increase food production in this area by every possible means, would he tell us when the Hill Beef Commission last met, and when his right hon. Friend proposes it should meet again?

Mr. Stewart

I require notice of that question.

Mr. McNeil

If I tell the hon. Gentleman that it has not met since December will he use his influence to persuade his right hon. Friend to arrange for it to meet again in the near future?

Mr. Stewart

I will convey that information to my right hon. Friend.