HC Deb 06 March 1968 vol 760 cc436-8
41. Mr. Galbraith

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how long he now estimates it will take to complete the repair work following the storm which hit Glasgow on the night of 14th–15th January, 1968.

Mr. Ross

I understand from Glasgow Corporation that it expects the repair of its own property to be finished by the end of the year but cannot yet assess how long the repair of privately-owned property will take.

Mr. Galbraith

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that Answer will not abate in any way the concern of those who signed the petition which I presented to him last week and which bore over 2,000 signatures? Will he do everything he can to eliminate red tape on the working of the loan scheme and in order to speed up the designation of smokeless areas and to attract more roofers and slaters to the area, so that priority can be given to the repair work rather than to new housing?

Mr. Ross

No, we spoke about that last point earlier. I want to thank the hon. Gentleman for the helpful nature of the discussions he had with me when he presented the petition from his constituents. As far as I understand, Glasgow Corporation is doing its very best in very difficult circumstances. There is this difficult question relating to labour. Some manpower has been brought in, and the Ministry of Labour is still looking into the question of what additional manpower can be recruited. As to the question about clean air legislation, of course he will himself be the first to appreciate the difficulties of anticipating orders and waiting for orders being made rather than getting on with the work—and there are financial implications.

Mr. Noble

Will the Secretary of State consider whether he could make a fairly full statement on the storm damage and the ways in which he could speed up consideration of this at an early date in the House as so many Members are deeply concerned?

Mr. Ross

I know the concern of hon. Gentlemen, and I have been replying to them by letter. The Questions which have been put down for today will give me an oportunity of making further answer to some of these queries publicly. I will, however, look further into this matter.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Mr. George Thomson. Statement.