31. The Earl of Dalkeithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities, sited outwith development districts, have officially approached him 1400 on the subject of industrial development since he assumed responsibility for regional planning throughout Scotland.
§ Mr. WillisSince my right hon. Friend assumed responsibility for regional economic planning in Scotland, he has received representations from seven Scottish local authorities outside development districts on the general question of the industrial development of their areas.
The Earl of DalkeithAs the previous Administration made considerable progress with regenerating the central industrial belt, does not the Minister of State think that the time has now come to consider expanding the designation of both districts to include many other parts of Scotland, including the Border, which by their further development would help the Scottish economy, and, perhaps, help with some of the further away problems in places like Glasgow? Can he not look at this matter very seriously now?
§ Mr. WillisThe present activities of the Scottish Economic Planning Council are designed for this purpose.