§ 7. Mr. G. Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations he has received from the Highlands and Islands Development Board on the improvement of the A9 road south of their area; and what action he is taking.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonIn a Press statement of 16th May, 1967, on the report of the Highland Transport Board, the Highlands and Islands Development Board recommended that the PerthPitlochry section of A9 should be included in the priority roadworks to be completed by 1975. Various improvements of this stretch are already in hand, or being planned, but my right hon. Friend is considering what general improvement can be included in the road programme for the 1970s.
§ Mr. CampbellWill the Minister ensure that the recent cuts in the road programme will not fall in any way upon the stretch of the A9 from Perth to Blair Atholl since this is the main access by road to the north and central Highlands?
§ Dr. MabonWork in hand at the moment is £300,000 in three schemes. We are about to authorise two schemes totalling £135,000 and we have some minor schemes which may be in the programme. They will be in addition to the consideration we are making of the programme for the early 1970s.
§ Mr. Hector HughesDoes the Minister realise that it would be greatly to the advantage of Scotland to spread industrialisation instead of having it cornered in the South-West?
§ Dr. MabonI do not know about concentration in the South-West, but it is certainly the policy of the Government to seek industrialisation all over Scotland.