§ 44. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet considered the proposals put to his Department last January by Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce in connection with the power of local authorities to 219 build factories, the Aberdeen Development Plan and the new building proposals for Scotland; and what steps he intends to take to implement those proposals.
§ Mr. MaclayMy noble Friend the Minister of State sent full information to the Chamber in February about the power of local authorities to build factories and about the Building (Scotland) Bill; and I have arranged with the Town Council to provide as quickly as possible the further information necessary to enable me to reach a decision on the Aberdeen Development plan.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that there has been far too much delay in this matter and that all authoritative bodies in Aberdeen, such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Trades Council, are united in favour of fostering the trade of Aberdeen? Will the right hon. Gentleman give urgent consideration to this matter and take a leaf out of the book of the Government of Northern Ireland in their successful treatment of the problem?
§ Mr. MaclayThe hon. and learned Gentleman knows very well the various steps which have been taken to help in areas of heavy unemployment in Scotland, and he knows, too, that Aberdeen is eligible for assistance under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958.