HC Deb 16 June 1959 vol 607 c225
19. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive from the Lanark County Council a list of approved factory sites at Douglas; and when officers of his Department first made a tour of inspection in the company of county council officials.

Mr. J. Rodgers

I cannot say how long the council will require to consider this matter. The inspection was on 9th March.

Mr. Maitland

Is it not a scandal that this matter has been delayed so long? Will my hon. Friend use the good offices of his Department and invoke those of the Secretary of State for Scotland to hurry the matter up? Is it not a fact that the county council is dragging its feet?

Mr. Rodgers

I do not think it is for me to comment on whether or not the Lanarkshire County Council is dragging its feet, but I understand that it has given an assurance that if an industrialist wanted a site at Douglas the fact that the development plan was under consideration would not act as a hindrance. Similarly, we at the Board of Trade would be very happy to grant an I.D.C.