HC Deb 10 November 1953 vol 520 cc765-6
27. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for bringing additional factories to East Kilbride, in view of the warning given in the Development Corporation's Report for 1952–53, paragraph 53.

Mr. J. Stuart

Four industrial and commercial firms, including firms from Glasgow, are at present negotiating with the East Kilbride Development Corporation for sites in the new town which the firms wish to develop on their own account. Needless to say, the President of the Board of Trade and I will give every encouragement to private enterprise to carry out development of this kind in the new town.

Mr. Maitland

Yes, but is my right hon. Friend aware that he now confronts a difficult dilemma: either he gets enough industry to the new town now or he has to stop building the new town, or he has to go back on his pledge to produce a balanced community?

Mr. Stuart

We certainly hope to produce a balanced community, and I have no reason to think at the present time that the plans are not working out satisfactorily.