§ 21. Mr. Tom McMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultation he had with road and highways authorities prior to his publication of the White Paper for "Roads in the Seventies", and what fuller consultation he now proposes to have.
§ 56. Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he had with road and highway authorities and regional economic groups before publishing the White Paper on "Roads in the Seventies".
§ Mr. RossIn addition to consulting organisations representing road users and many other interests, my Department invited written comments from the local authority associations, and had meetings with them, on the basis of a draft which had been considered by the Scottish Economic Planning Council. The Consultative Groups have all regularly expressed their views on road priorities in their areas. As stated in the White Paper, there will be continuing discussion with individual local authorities on the details of the schemes to be undertaken in their areas.
§ Mr. McMillanWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, can he say whether Glasgow Corporation has entered into consultations with him and, 459 if so, what its attitude is to the White Paper proposals?
§ Mr. RossThe White Paper proposals have produced general agreement, and we have had discussions with and comment from Glasgow.
§ Mr. SteelIs the Minister aware of the disappointment in the Borders that the proposals put forward by the Borders Economic Consultative Group have not appeared in the White Paper? What weight will he attach to its representations in the continuing discussions?
§ Mr. RossIts representations carry considerable weight, speaking as it does for the local authorities in the area, and the Chairman of the Consultative Group is a member of the Economic Planning Council.