HC Deb 04 August 1971 vol 822 cc1565-6
11. Mr. James Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the £33 million public works programme has been asked for by Lanarkshire County Council; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

I have not yet received the Council's full proposals, but under the primary school improvement programme for 1971–72 and 1972–73, about half of which is to be provided from the £33 million, proposals by the Council totalling £1,350,000 have already been approved.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when he gets these proposals from the local authority concerned, included among some of the things they want are at least three primary schools in my constituency? Will the right hon. Gentleman give serious consideration to this matter? We want him to give us, first, the schools which are so much required and, secondly, jobs in Lanarkshire, bearing in mind that 8.3 per cent. of the insurable population are unemployed at the moment.

Mr. Campbell

As I said in my original reply, we have already extended a considerable amount of this new programme to primary school improvement in Lanarkshire. I am well aware of the problems of Lanarkshire; I received a deputation from the Lanarkshire Development Council only about a week ago.