HC Deb 03 May 1955 vol 540 cc1493-4
19. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the terms on which agreement has been reached between him and Glasgow Corporation in regard to the new town at Cumbernauld; and what plans he has in view to deal generally with Glasgow's overspill.

Mr. J. Stuart

The corporation has agreed to pay the statutory rate contribution for 10 years in respect of each house at Cumbernauld let to a tenant nominated by the corporation. The corporation understands that I will ask it to make an additional payment in respect of such houses, if it is found that it has to make such additional payments to secure the provision of houses for its nominees in other areas. The exact amount of such additional payments at Cumbernauld would be negotiated later, but would not exceed one-third of the deficit on the undertaking. As regards further measures for dealing with Glasgow overspill, I have suggested a conference with the Corporation of Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Planning Advisory Committee, to be followed later by discussions with the local authorities concerned.

Mr. Rankin

May I direct the right hon. Gentleman's attention to that part of the memorandum on this subject, which he kindly sent me, in which he points out that … the Cumbernauld project will not of itself be sufficient to provide an adequate number of houses to meet Glasgow's needs which can no longer be satisfied within the limits of the city itself. The right hon. Gentleman further points out that … special legislation may be necessary to assist the promotion of arrangements between Glasgow and the receiving authorities for dealing with the problem. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] I am quoting from the memorandum. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in his reference to special legislation, he means to apply the New Towns Act to the overspill generally, as he is doing in the case of Cumbernauld?

Mr. Stuart

I do not want to go into details at this stage, because delicate negotiations are going on, but the hon. Member can take it that legislation on the lines of the Town Development Act which is applicable to England and Wales may be necessary to deal with this very serious and pressing problem.

Mr. Woodburn

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it would be a tragedy if this new town became a mere dormitory for Glasgow and had no industry or economic basis for its own life? If there is to be a new town, will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind the necessity of providing for the transfer of derelict factories from the overspill area?

Mr. Stuart

The right hon. Gentleman is well aware that in the new town of East Kilbride we have been very successful in the matter to which he has referred. Cumbernauld is in the Development Area and is entitled to the facilities available under the Distribution of Industry Act.