§ 25. Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, following their report on the Western Borders due in the autumn, he will retain the services of Professor Johnson-Marshall and his planning team for continued consultation in the process of future development of the Scottish Borders as a whole.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonThe consultants in question were appointed for a specific task. The need for a continuing planning consultancy service in the Borders would be a matter for consideration with the local planning authorities when the report from Edinburgh University has been submitted.
§ Mr. SteelIs there not a strong case for extending the survey after the interim report to the whole of the Borders, including Berwickshire? In any case, does 1491 the hon. Gentleman agree, now that we have in Edinburgh University a planning team of international repute which could be of great service to Scotland as a whole, that it should not be disbanded at the end of the present survey?
§ Dr. MabonI think that there is a misunderstanding here, and, with respect, the hon. Gentleman did not, perhaps, phrase his Question quite in the way he intended. I assumed that he was referring to a continuing planning consultancy service, but, obviously, he means another stage in the present exercise. We shall have to consider that when we have the report. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will accept that as fair.