§ 19. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of of State for Scotland what stage has been reached with regard to the development of a new town at Houston to absorb some of the overspill from Glasgow.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe Clyde Valley Planning Committee and the Corporation of Glasgow have represented to me that a new town should be established at Houston. [Interruption.] I was once in Texas and can never pronounce the name; the American Houston is pronounced differently. I have informed the committee and the corporation that I do not consider it would be practicable, having regard to the demands already imposed on the limited resources of technical staff by existing projects and to other considerations, to undertake the development of a third new town in the Clyde Valley area at the present time.
§ Mr. RankinIs the Secretary of State aware that that is a most discouraging statement? Is he further aware that there are 250,000 people in Glasgow whom he recognises as urgently requiring accommodation outside the city? What steps is he taking to provide an alternative site if Houston is not practicable?
§ Mr. StuartThe answer is that I completely agree with the hon. Member about the importance, urgency and gravity of the situation, but, owing to the lack of water and sewerage and so on at the place to which he has referred and which I will not try to mention again, we are, as he knows, continuing with East Kilbride and endeavouring to get agreement about Cumbernauld. The other thing which might provide quicker alternative accommodation is the expansion of existing communities.