HC Deb 25 November 1958 vol 596 cc198-9
14. Mr. McInnes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the date on which the Duke Street Prison site was made available to Glasgow Corporation; and if he has yet received from that local authority any plans or proposals in terms of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, for the utilisation of the site.

Mr. Maclay

The Duke Street Prison site was conveyed to Glasgow Corporation on 1st June, 1958. An amendment to the development plan, proposing that the greater part of the site should be redeveloped for housing purposes, reached me from the corporation yesterday.

Mr. McInnes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the negotiations between his Department and the Glasgow Corporation have been going on for some years? Will he state what has caused the delay in settling this matter?

Mr. Maclay

The facts are these. Duke Street Prison was evacuated in August, 1955, and Glasgow Corporation agreed to purchase as at 1st January, 1957. It was necessary thereafter for the corporation's solicitors to examine numerous complicated title deeds relating to the property. There were over 350 documents in all. It has been a very complicated matter.