§ 14. Mr. Hamiltonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the new town of Glenrothes, Fife, is not at present in need of additional light industry; what new steps have been taken in the last 12 months to attract such industry to the town; and whether he will gave an assurance that in no circumstances will Glenrothes be regarded as a dormitory suburb of any neighbouring burgh.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I are satisfied that there is sufficient factory employment in or near Glenrothes to meet the immediate needs of the non-mining population of the new town. I shall continue to watch the needs of the town, but I have no reason to think that Glenrothes is likely to become a dormitory town.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the Minister aware that, in a speech made by the Joint Under-Secretary of State in the new town on 14th or 15th January, he suggested that there was no likelihood of any new industry at all being established in a new town within the next six years and that, in the meantime, neighbouring burghs could absorb the surplus labour? Would not the President agree that if these developments occur the whole purpose of the New Towns Act will be nullified?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIt is possible that some people in Glenrothes might work several miles away but, in general, I am watching the situation and, though I do not rule out the possibility of new industry, I am satisfied that there is no real problem at present.