§ 5 and 6. Mr. Woodburnasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether his attention has been called to the disquiet existing in Scotland regarding the decision of Edinburgh Corporation to build a car park in Princes Street Gardens and regarding the taking of the decision without sufficient investigation and consideration of all the possibilities of dealing with parking congestion, including those likely to be more effective and economical; and what action he will take to ensure full expression of public opinion;
(2) whether his attention has been called to the decision of Edinburgh Corporation to build a car park in Princes Street Gardens; and whether, in view of the pressure now being applied on local authorities to keep down capital expenditure, he will recommend the Edinburgh Council to delay applying for a Provisional Order and to investigate other suggestions which may be more efficient, economical and less injurious to the amentities of Princes Street.
§ Mr. J. StuartI am aware of the Corporation's proposals and of the controversy they have aroused. The project could not be undertaken without the Corporation's obtaining further statutory 1629 powers; and the private legislation procedure provides full opportunity for the lodging and consideration of objections.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that when it reaches that stage it becomes a question very largely of rejecting or approving the project? Is he aware that everybody realises that there is a problem here with regard to car parking in Edinburgh but that the question of utilising Princes Street is a matter of almost international interest? Is he aware that the Lord Provost and many other people have expressed a desire that this matter should be considered with a little more caution before the final proposals are made? Would the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Corporation to consider other possibilities, such as the widening of Princes Street, and many other things that have been suggested, or the possibility of giving people, now that their interest has been aroused, an opportunity of making suggestions?
§ Mr. StuartI am quite sure that many suggestions will be made to the Corporation. All that we are proposing at present is that the Provisional Order procedure should be adopted and, of course, there will be a full opportunity for objections to be considered at a public inquiry before Parliamentary Commissioners.