HC Deb 08 July 1970 vol 803 cc641-3
4. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will institute a survey of the social implications of the build up of population in the area covered by the Grangemouth-Falkirk Growth Plan.

Mr. Younger

Volume 1 of the Grangemouth-Falkirk Regional Survey and Plan, published in 1968, deals extensively with the social implications of the growth which the report proposes for the area.

Mr. Douglas

While welcoming that answer, may I ask whether it is not a fact that the Scottish Development Department has a complete lack of sociologists to undertake the survey which would be necessary to look at the implications of this plan for the area in 1980?

Mr. Younger

The plan itself examines in great detail some of its own social implications, and there is, as the hon. Gentleman knows, a Joint Planning Advisory Committee for the area which is capable of assessing all these facts.

5. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will examine the economic implications for those areas contiguous to the Grangemouth-Falkirk Growth Plan of the build up of manufacturing industry in the plan's area, with particular regard to those areas not adequately covered by Scottish Economic Planning machinery.

Mr. Younger

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend will keep these implications in mind in the course of his general review of the machinery of economic planning.

Mr. Douglas

While welcoming that answer, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to note that there is extreme concern in the area as people look upon the development of manufacturing industry in the Falkirk-Grangemouth area as being likely to place them in the position of a suburban backwater? Will he give attention to those parts of Scotland inadequately covered by the Scottish economic planning machinery?

Mr. Younger

I appreciate the fears which the hon. Gentleman mentions but I am sure that he will be glad to know that nearby areas have the same inducements as the study area. At present the jobs in prospect in nearby areas are 2,866, whereas the jobs in prospect in the growth area are 2,464.

Mr. W. Baxter

Before asking my supplementary question, may I congratulate one of my constituents on being appointed to his present position as Under-Secretary? When he has had sufficient time to look into this important matter, would he give consideration to the setting up of a new authority to develop this new concept of a city in the Falkirk-Grangemouth-Denny area?

Mr. Younger

May I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind remarks? I hope that he will continue to represent my interests in future. His suggestion is something we will take into account in our general review of the economic planning machinery.