HC Deb 22 April 1958 vol 586 cc759-60
23. Mr. McInnes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the number of overspill agreements which have been submitted to him by Scottish local authorities under the Housing and Town Development (Scotland) Act, 1957.

33. Mr. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many overspill agreements under the Housing and Town Development (Scotland) Act, 1957, have been submitted to him; and which local authorities are concerned.

Mr. J. N. Browne

My right hon. Friend understands that Glasgow Corporation has agreed in principle to make overspill agreements with 12 local authorities, and that draft agreements with these are now in preparation. The authorities concerned are the Town Councils of Haddington, Kirkintilloch, Arbroath, Grangemouth, Campbeltown, Dunbar, Irvine, Jedburgh, Johnstone, Stranraer, Girvan and Forfar.

Mr. McInnes

Is the Joint Under-Secretary of State aware that, although the Act was introduced almost 12 months ago, not one overspill agreement has been submitted to him? Does he realise that the overspill problem of Glasgow is the most serious problem in Scotland? What does he propose to do to accelerate the submission of agreements?

Mr. Browne

After such a short time we should be very satisfied with the results. In the case of two local authorities, Kirkintilloch and Haddington, agreements are in an advanced stage and will shortly be submitted for approval. So far, 27 local authorities have approached Glasgow Corporation, and many others are still coming forward.

Mr. Ross

To what extent will this touch the 300,000 people who constitute the problem? Will the Joint Under-Secretary bear in mind, in his complacent attitude towards this matter, that many discussions have gone on for years before we had the legislation? Is not that a reflection of the efficacy of that legislation—that it should have taken so long merely to get agreement in principle?

Mr. Browne

I am not complacent. I did not know the sort of discussions that were going on. Now they are going on under the terms of a very good Measure put through by this side of the House. In answer to the inquiry about the number of people concerned, the Corporation estimates that 50,000 might be accommodated by the local authorities with whom it is already in touch and another 50,000 could be accommodated in existing new towns, making 100,000 in all.

Sir C. Thornton-Kemsley

Will my hon. Friend make it clear that, even if all these schemes are operated in full, there will still be great need for schemes of further expansion if the whole of the Glasgow overspill population is to be given work and house accommodation?

Mr. Browne

Yes, we have always made it clear that this Measure was the first step in the right direction.