§ 35. Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to produce a plan for expansion of the South-West of Scotland, similar to that for the Central Borders.
§ Mr. RossThe South-West Economic Consultative Group has asked for a study to follow up the outline strategy in the White Paper on the Scottish Economy and I am considering how best this could be arranged.
§ Mr. BrewisIs the Secretary of State aware that there has been considerable delay in getting something done for this area and that the population is dwindling away while he is dithering?
§ Mr. RossI assure the hon. Member that his Government did nothing about this for 13 years. We are the only people who have started to do something to get people interested in their future. This point will be considered by the Consultative Group at its next meeting. After that we shall have discussions to see how to follow the matter up.
§ Mr. GalbraithIf the Secretary of State decides to produce such a plan, will he ensure that the publication is a great deal easier to understand than that produced for the South-East and also much cheaper so that people can afford to read it?
§ Mr. RossI assure the hon. Gentleman that I had nothing to do with the South-East one, but there will be no such complaint in respect of Scotland.
§ Mr. YoungerWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is a matter of considerable urgency, as many mining jobs are likely to be lost in the near future? Will he press on with this urgently?
§ Mr. RossYes, I appreciate this. We lost many mining jobs in the last 10 years, but nothing was done about it.
§ Mr. GalbraithOn a point of order. For the sake of accuracy, may I draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that the publication which I inadvertently described as being for the South-East was in fact for the Central Borders?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is a point of accuracy, not of order.
§ Mr. BrewisOn a point of order. I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.