§ 12. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the reasons for the change of policy in relation to the new town of Glenrothes, Fife.
§ Mr. J. StuartI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 6th December, to which I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. HamiltonI believe that answer said that there had been no change of policy. Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the decision to stop building houses and to hold up all other development in the new town is nothing but a change of policy? Is he prepared to give a specific assurance that, after the interim period to which he has been referring in his correspondence with the 1826 county council and myself, Government financial aid will be forthcoming and the development corporation will not be wound up?
§ Mr. StuartI can tell the hon. Member, quite frankly, that the position is as stated, that the building of houses has run ahead at present of the influx of miners into Glenrothes owing to certain difficulties encountered by the National Coal Board. However, it is our intention to proceed. This is merely a slowing down in the building programme.