§ 11. Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland by what authority he is empowered to make a grant of 50 per cent. in respect of expenditure incurred by receiving authorities on the provision of water and sewerage services for approved overspill schemes.
§ Mr. J. StuartThere is at present no specific statutory power in Scotland for the payment of grant to receiving authorities for the provision of water and drainage services for approved overspill schemes as such. Any such powers would require new legislation.
§ Mr. McInnesIf the right hon. Gentleman does not possess any powers, why did 5 he indicate in a letter to Glasgow Corporation that it should proceed with negotiations with receiving authorities on the basis of a 50 per cent. grant? Is that not anticipation of Parliamentary legislation, and is it not entirely wrong to anticipate it?
§ Mr. StuartIt is very important that we should make progress with this serious problem of Glasgow overspill. What I did was to indicate that I, as far as I am concerned, and the Government would be willing to introduce legislation. I have asked the corporation to advise me as to the lines which it thinks such legislation should follow.
§ 12. Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the result of his consultations with the Clyde Valley Planning Advisory Committee and the Glasgow Corporation regarding Glasgow's overspill problem.
§ Mr. J. StuartMeasures for dealing with Glasgow's overspill are still under consideration by the Clyde Valley Planning Advisory Committee and Glasgow Corporation: I understand that they are having a joint meeting on the matter today.
§ Mr. McInnesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has been dealing with this problem for over three years without any progress being made at all? Will he stop monkeying about with the matter and inject a sense of realism into it? Is he aware that this is a problem which is growing more serious day by day and that nothing has been done in the past three years?
§ Mr. StuartI really do not think the hon. Member can accuse me of monkeying about with this matter. I have been trying to get progress made. I have made suggestions, and we have been negotiating, as the hon. Member knows, about Cumbernauld, and encouraging existing communities to expand in order to accept overspill from Glasgow. I am most anxious that progress should be made.
§ Mr. Patrick MaitlandIs my right hon. Friend aware that the people of Scotland are very grateful to the Government for the best record in history with regard to housing? Will he bear in mind the needs of smaller places like Lanark, Biggar, Carluke and Forth for taking overspill?