HC Deb 06 May 1958 vol 587 cc1014-5
19. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the reasons which guided him in deciding not to sanction another new town in Scotland.

Mr. J. N. Browne

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply of 4th March to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. T. Fraser).

Mr. Rankin

Is the Joint Under-Secretary not aware that, since then, another voice has spoken and given a different decision? Is he not aware that the Minister of State has declared that there will not be another new town in Scotland? If that is the case, does he not appreciate that Glenrothes plus the tiny rivulets of overspill promoted under recent legislation will not solve Glasgow's housing problem in a hundred years. Is that what the hon. Gentleman wants?

Mr. Browne

I am afraid that I must correct the hon. Gentleman. We all speak with one voice in Scotland. My noble Friend the Minister of State has had very recent discussions with the Glasgow Corporation on this subject, and he then reaffirmed the Government's view that a further new town for Glasgow overspill is not excluded but that now is not the appropriate time to initiate another project on this scale.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Can you tell me the difference between what I said and what the Minister is now saying?

Mr. Speaker

I am not concerned with those differences.

Mr. Rankin

In view of that, I must give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.