Scottish Economy (White Paper)

HC Deb 27 July 1966 vol 732 cc1709-10

22. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a revised version of the White Paper on the Scottish Economy, Command Paper No. 2864.

Mr. Ross

No, Sir. I see no need to depart from the strategy of development outlined in the White Paper.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Scottish Plan is said to be based on the National Plan, and the National Plan's targets have now been scrapped, and that the First Secretary threatened to resign because of that? Why did the right hon. Gentleman not threaten to resign?

Mr. Ross

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the objects and targets which we hope to achieve under the Scottish Plan remain as they are.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Rubbish.

Mr. Ross

That does not mean to say that we cannot, as time goes on, see how the targets go in relation to achievements and in relation to changes. However, at present, I see no reason to make the review for which he asks.