HC Deb 10 May 1967 vol 746 cc1492-3
28. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to publish the first annual report of the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

Mr. Ross

The Board expects to submit its Report to me later this month. and I shall present it to Parliament as soon as possible thereafter.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that he told us that we would have this report and a debate last month? Why has there been this long delay? Is he aware that the Minister of State has kept a constituent of mine waiting for six weeks for a reply to a complaint about the activities of the Board? Does not this suggest a need for a bit more urgency in the Scottish Office about this matter?

Mr. Ross

The matter about which a letter was written to the Minister of State was rather involved and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there is a reply to him in the post which he will receive today. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] It is a very involved matter. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the delay is a matter of the preparation of the report having Taken longer than was expected. As soon as we get it, we shall waste no time in getting it to the printers and having it printed as quickly as possible. I sincerely hope that we shall still be able to have that debate.

Mr. Noble

Does the right hon. Gentleman hope to make it available to the House by, say, 1st July? What is his timing if he gets it at the end of this month?

Mr. Ross

Oh, yes. It will depend on how long the printers take, but it will be ready before then. We want it in our hands in time for the debates on the Estimates, and I hope that it will be.