HC Deb 11 November 1958 vol 595 cc171-2
13. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many overspill agreements have now been signed between Glasgow and other local authorities; and what number of people will be affected by them.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. John Maclay)

Glasgow Corporation has signed overspill agreements with the Town Councils of Haddington, Grangemouth, Kirkintilloch and Irvine and with Glenrothes Development Corporation. These cover 3,425 houses and, except in Glenrothes, will be supplemented by overspill houses built by the Scottish Special Housing Association. As a result, accommodation may be provided in these areas for about 15,000 people.

Mr. Rankin

Surely, this is deplorably slow progress. In view of the fact that there are 112,000 people on the waiting list of Glasgow Corporation for new houses, does the Secretary of State really think that even a small fraction of these people will ever see a new house in their lifetime, at this speed, and would not he consider the building of other new towns in Scotland?

Mr. Maclay

As to the first part of the supplementary question, I agree that one would like to see faster progress, but this is a complex business and I consider that reasonable progress is being made. On the second point, as the hon. Gentleman knows from previous replies, while consideration of further new towns is not ruled out, we believe that it is right to get on with the overspill operations and Cumbernauld and Glenrothes, and to leave that consideration to a later date.

Mr. Woodburn

While congratulating the Secretary of State on getting so far away from Glasgow as Glenrothes, may I ask him to consider extending this idea far beyond the industrial belt to see whether these people can be housed under the Government policy for repopulating some of the sparsely and depopulated areas of Scotland?

Mr. Maclay

The Glasgow Corporation has approved the terms of agreements with Girvan and Campbeltown, and some other towns further away from Glasgow are being actively considered at the moment.

Commander Donaldson

If I heard my right hon. Friend aright, I think that he mentioned Jedburgh. Can he tell the House how many Glasgow people are likely to be housed under the Jedburgh scheme?

Mr. Maclay

I think that my hon. and gallant Friend misheard me. I did not mention Jedburgh, but I will look into the point which he has mentioned.

Back to
Forward to