§ 1. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he is now co-operating with local authorities with a view to assisting them to develop and prepare disused land for the provision of new industries, especially n the Development Areas.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. G. D. Galbraith)Local authorities were invited in March last to submit proposals for the clearance of derelict sites to the Board of Trade, and they have been offered the technical advice and guidance, if required, of my right hon. Friend's Department and of the Board's Scottish Controller. Fourteen schemes have already been approved.
§ Mr. DempseyDoes the Minister also mean that, in addition to these wide powers, local authorities may have opportunities of servicing sites by raising moneys either by grant aid or by local rates with a view to meeting the intense competition from Europe in endeavouring to attract industries to the locality?
§ Mr. GalbraithI am interested to hear what the hon. Gentleman has to tell me.
§ Mr. DempseyI take it that there is no answer to my supplementary question?