§ 8. Mrs. Mannasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take on the representations which he has received from the town council of Coatbridge in respect of the dangers of the Monkland Canal.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartWhen conclusions have been reached on a similar problem concerning the Monkland Canal in Glasgow, about which my right hon. Friend replied on 2nd February to a Question addressed to him by the hon. Member for Maryhill (Mr. Hannan), my right hon. Friend will consider whether there is any action that can usefully be taken to deal with the Coatbridge position.
§ Mrs. MannThis is an astonishing reply. Coatbridge made representations years before Glasgow, and its corporation has been waiting for nine years for satisfaction in regard to the canal, which is not only a danger to life but is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and is filling the houses around with rats. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the patience of Coatbridge and of its M.P. is exhausted?
§ Mr. StewartI am sorry about that, but I think the hon. Lady would agree that the problems which arise are not dissimilar and that a solution in one case might point to the solution of the other. We are pressing on with Glasgow.
§ Mrs. MannIs the hon. Gentleman aware that on the previous occasions Coatbridge got lost in the same kind of reply and that Coatbridge wants its own definite conclusions reached in case, as in former years, Lanarkshire and Glasgow may disagree?