§ 34. Mrs. Hartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reconsider his decision to transfer the Drainage Machinery Depot from Whitelees, Lanark, to Bishopbriggs.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Michael Noble)No, Sir. The buildings which are held on a sub- 580 tenancy, and the site at Whitelees have never been very satisfactory, and some time ago it became evident that there was no reasonable alternative to finding new premises. These are being provided by the Ministry of Public Building and Works which is adapting surplus Government accommodation at Bishopbriggs for the purpose.
§ Mrs. HartIs not the Secretary of State aware that there is much profound dissatisfaction in the whole of my constituency about his decision? Further, is he aware that, apparently, no attempts were made by him or his Department to get the Lanark Town Council's agreement to extend the lease of the site and that less money might well have been spent on adapting the present premises than is involved in the removal from an area where there is, and is likely to be, severe unemployment?
§ Mr. NobleI am advised that completely new buildings would be required and that the cost of erection would considerably exceed the expenditure on adaptations at Bishopbriggs. The people concerned in this matter were warned over a year ago that the move was to take place.