§ 17. Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many subsidised houses now stand empty at Douglas and Douglas West in the county of Lanark.
§ Mr. MaclayOn 29th May, 27 houses were unlet at Douglas and none at Douglas West.
§ Mr. MaitlandIs my right hon. Friend aware that there are also many unsubsidised houses that are empty, that something like 70 families have already left the place and that the Minister of State, Scottish Office, calculated that another 200 families may go? Will he give an assurance that he will do everything possible to attract industry to the area and, in particular, to use the available empty subsidised houses to that end?
§ Mr. MaclayI am fully aware of the problem in the area, and I know that the National Coal Board also has vacant houses. I think my hon. Friend has a Question on the Order Paper today addressed to the President of the Board of Trade relating to the industrial side of the matter.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many people in Scotland believe that he is still doing nothing at all for this distressed area of Lanarkshire—Douglas in the constituency of the hon. Member for Lanark (Mr. Patrick Maitland) and the Shotts and Harthill area in my constituency, where a pit was closed on Friday and nearly 100 miners were offered no other work? Will the right hon. Gentleman try to do something for these areas which urgently need the assistance of a Government who believe in planning our resources?
§ Mr. MaclayThe hon. Lady must be aware of the various steps which we have taken during the last 12 months to encourage industry to come to Scotland. No doubt they will be discussed on other occasions.