HC Deb 18 March 1970 vol 798 cc390-1
38. Mr. Galbraith

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the growth potential of the tourist industry over the next 10 years in the lower reaches of the Clyde in terms of finance and numbers employed, he will make an estimate of the cost this development will place on local authorities and Government in providing the infrastructure to sustain it.

Dr. Dickson Mabon

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend on Wednesday, 11th March, 1970.—[Vol. 797, c. 316.]

Mr. Galbraith

I do not know how the hon. Gentleman got that information since I have not asked a Question on this matter before today. While appreciating that it is not possible for the hon. Gentleman to be entirely accurate, could he say whether the infrastructure costs would be more or less for tourist development than they would be for the proposed industrial development about which we have been hearing recently?

Dr. Dickon Mabon

If I am in error, I apologise. I feel that it may be the hon. Gentleman who is in error. The fact that the Miles Kelcey Study was published in May, 1968, and was the first phase of the study in the Clyde is very important. The present phase will finish in the spring, having been begun last spring by Professor Travis. The management committee is under the Lord Provost of Glasgow and we are keen to see the results of this Herriot Watt effort on the West Coast.