§ 24. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he is planning to hold with Aberdeen Trades Council, Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce and Aberdeen Corporation in preparing national and regional plans to promote economic development in Aberdeen and north-east Scotland.
§ Mr. WillisWhen the Scottish Development Group has made further progress with the North-East Study on which it is engaged, there will be on-the spot consultations with a number of bodies in Aberdeen, such as those mentioned by my hon. and learned Friend.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister realise that that Answer will give great satisfaction in northern Scotland? Does he also realise that during the last few years the inadequacy of such consultations has gone far to negative and frustrate any such plans for north-east Scotland, with the result that trade, industry and commerce have been neglected there and unemployment has grown?
§ Lady TweedsmuirIs the Minister of State aware that his hon. and learned Friend has shown by his supplementary question that he is quite misinformed and that a great deal of work has gone on in consultation? Indeed, it was my right hon. Friends who initiated the North-East Study Group which the present Government are now continuing.
§ Mr. WillisI think that both my hon. and learned Friend and the noble Lady are quite correct.