HC Deb 12 April 1960 vol 621 cc1066-7
21. Mrs. Hart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider amending the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act, 1936, to provide for the granting of large burgh status to new towns on their attaining a population of 30,000 without the necessity of their promoting a provisional order.

Mr. Maclay

No, Sir. I think that the amendment the hon. Lady has in mind would have to be to the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1947. I would point out that the Jeffrey Committee, whose Report was the basis of that Act, took the view that questions arising in regard to the formation of a large burgh are so complicated and so important that the matter can be dealt with satisfactorily only by special legislation.

Mrs. Hart

Would not the Secretary of State agree that there is a strong case for treating new towns, which have arisen as a result of deliberate action by the Government, in a rather different way from existing communities which seek to change the nature of their existing burgh status? Would he not also agree that the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act, 1936, does make it possible for a new town to achieve large burgh status but only by rather elaborate machinery involving considerable cost? Will he look further into this matter from the point of view of the new towns in Scotland, which are so dissatisfied with their existing local government structure?

Mr. Maclay

I am not entirely certain about the validity of the hon. Lady's remark that the new towns are all dissatisfied with the position. I would require further information about that. I have considered this general question and I do not think that questions which would arise in the case of a new town would be any less complicated or less important than in the case of a small burgh or other populous place. I would be reluctant to go beyond the recommendations of the Jeffrey Commission on this matter.

Mrs. Hart

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I will seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.