HC Deb 08 July 1958 vol 591 c190
33. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now announce a relaxation of the squeeze on grants, &c., for public works.

Mr. Maclay

I cannot add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 3rd July.

Mr. Grimond

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that Answer, may I ask when he expects to be able to extort from the Chancellor of the Exchequer some statement on this matter? Although it is of importance to the Highland area to have a statement on the private sector, cannot we now have a statement on the public sector?

Mr. Maclay

May I recall to the hon. Member what my right hon. Friend said: I made it clear before, if hon. Gentlemen will listen, that we are keeping that matter, as others under continuous consideration and if and when the time comes for any adjustments of the limit which we have at present set, then those adjustments will be made."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 3rd July, 1958; Vol. 590, c. 1601.]

Mr. Jay

Can the Minister explain, as the Chancellor did not, why his relaxation applies only to private schemes and not to public schemes?

Mr. Maclay

I am not prepared to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend has already given.