§ 28. Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the sum announced in the Government White Paper on Public Expenditure to be spent on infrastructure schemes under the Local Employment Acts is to be allocated to Scotland; and if he will give priority to the need for improved communications in the North-East.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe amount spent in Scotland will depend very largely upon the volume of work on the provision of basic services and the clearance of derelict land which local authorities undertake in support of industrial development in their areas. The hon Member can be sure that the needs of North-East Scotland will be very much in mind.
§ Mr. SproatI thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer and assure him that, whatever hon. Members opposite may say, the package of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor and my right hon. Friend's clarification today are widely welcomed in the North-East of Scotland, where we are all certain that it will contribute to the area's long-term prosperity.
§ Mr. CampbellI note that my hon. Friend is very discerning on the advantages of the new proposals for his area of Scotland.
§ Mr. RossThe hon. Gentleman must be gifted with second sight, because none of us has any figures yet. How much was spent on infrastructure in Scotland last year under the Local Employment Act? How much will be spent next year 384 or will be made available for spending next year?
§ Mr. CampbellIf the right hon. Gentleman will put down Questions on that, I shall be able to give him the answers. But I can tell him that the total additional expenditure in the development areas under the new proposals is expected to be about £25 million.