HC Deb 08 May 1956 vol 552 c1000
25. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement of the Government's policy towards capital development in the Highlands in the light of the representations made to him by the Highland Advisory Panel.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

While proposals for capital investment in the Highlands must be considered on their merits, my right hon. Friend will certainly bear the Panel's recommendation in mind.

Mr. Thomson

Is the Minister aware of the very strong words used by the Chairman of the Highland Advisory Panel, Lord Cameron, about this matter? Is he aware that Lord Cameron said there was a strong case for exempting Highland development from the effects of the Government's credit squeeze? Is the hon. Gentleman further aware that both the Glasgow Herald and the Scotsman were extremely caustic about the policy of the Government in this respect?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, Sir, one is aware of that, but I put this point to the hon. Gentleman, that whilst all schemes must be considered on their individual merits, their importance to highland development generally is one of the factors taken into account.

Mr. John MacLeod

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the Highlands are suffering from years of neglect, that the proposals put forward by the Highland Panel have been before Government Departments for many years, and that it is time that more drastic action was taken?

Mr. Stewart

I think it would be truer to say that the Panel's recommendations have mostly been very promptly accepted by the Government and acted upon.