HC Deb 03 July 1956 vol 555 c1150
38. Miss Herbison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when Lanark County Council will be given his decision on the proposed new housing site at Chryston.

Mr. J. N. Browne

Discussions are proceeding. As I informed the hon. Lady on 18th June in a letter, a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Miss Herbison

Is the Minister aware that this housing scheme at Chryston has to cover a very wide area of Lanarkshire, as building cannot take place elsewhere because of the mineral position? Is he aware that a letter was sent from the local authority on 24th April on this matter, to which no reply was made and a further letter on 1st May, a mere acknowledgement of which was received? Is he aware that the dates for housing subtenants in the area is 1947, and that not a single sub-tenant has been housed whose marriage took place after July, 1947. Surely the Secretary of State has had plenty of time to make his decision known.

Mr. Browne

As the hon. Lady knows, this has not been a straightforward case. We still have to get clearance on the stability of the area and to consider the claims of agriculture. We hope to give an answer by about the end of the month.