HC Deb 26 May 1971 vol 818 cc362-3
15. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the present arrangements for co-ordinating regional planning in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Yes, Sir, though I am always looking for improvements. The Scottish Economic Planning Board co-ordinates the work of Government Departments and my officials maintain constant liaison with local planning authorities and their joint advisory committees.

Mr. Douglas

How have the sub-regional economic planning groups reacted to the visits proposed by the right hon. Gentleman's Department and others to Germany to attract West German industrialists to Scotland? Have the local groups been consulted on whether they want direct investment or indirect investment by German manufacturers in Scotland, and why cannot Scottish industrialists take up favourable investment opportunities?

Mr. Campbell

I cannot speak for all the bodies concerned without notice. But I have had no impression of any opposition to investment from abroad, particularly from Germany, where the Government have asked industry to expand abroad.

Mr. Dickson Mabon

Since the right hon. Gentleman has written to the chairman of the West Central Scotland Plan Steering Committee, do I take it, in the light of co-ordinating regional activities and his decision on Chevron, that the German industrialists are to be brought over to Hunterston to view the vacant land that the right hon. Gentleman has declined to zone for an oil refinery?

Mr. Campbell

The decision which I have taken is exactly similar to that taken by the right hon. Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. Ross) a year and a half ago on a proposal by Murco for an oil refinery nearby. For similar reasons, I have accepted the recommendation made very strongly by the reporter. I raised, probably before any other hon. Member, the importance of the deep-water facilities at Hunterston for the steel industry in Scotland, nearly two years ago. I initiated a debate on the subject in Supply time long before other hon. Members were saying anything about it; and I am particularly concerned about the importance of the area for the steel industry.