HC Deb 15 December 1959 vol 615 cc1226-7
14. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the nature of his reply to the letter sent to him by Coat-bridge Town Council regarding the West Summerlee Compulsory Purchase Order, 1958.

Mr. Galbraith

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the letter sent to my right hon. Friend by the town council on 24th November expressing disappointment at his decision. This letter has been acknowledged but the case cannot be reopened.

Mr. Dempsey

Does not the Question read very clearly and ask the nature of the reply of the Secretary of State? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, by excluding this area, the Government have virtually abandoned their promised slum clearance programme in this town due to lack of sites? Does he realise that, by rejecting the recommendations and findings of an advocate appointed by the Secretary of State and responsible to the Secretary of State, the Government have actually interfered with a judicial finding? Do they not think that is a dangerous practice? Will the Secretary of State give an assurance that he will review the position?

Mr. Galbraith

Naturally, as he appoints the Commissioner who is to carry out these inquiries, the Secretary of State has the perfectly proper constitutional right to review the recommendation of the Commissioner afterwards and either confirm or not, as he did in this case. My right hon. Friend is aware of the difficulties which face the hon. Member's local authority and will be very happy for the officials of that authority to discuss the matter with his officials to see ways out of the difficulty.

Mr. Dempsey

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply—shades of the Devlin Commission—I beg to give notice that I intend to raise this subject in an early Adjournment debate.

Mr. Speaker

That is yet another variation of the formula. I wish hon. Members would stick to the usual formula.