HC Deb 02 February 1972 vol 830 cc436-7
29. Mr. James Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the meeting he had with the Scottish Development Council delegation on Thursday, 13th January.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 20th January to the hon. Member for Rutherglen (Mr. Gregor Mackenzie).—[Vol. 829, c. 250.]

Mr. Hamilton

I have myself questioned the Prime Minister, but is the Secretary of State aware that last year the number of industrial development certificates allocated in Scotland was the lowest for the last five years? Does he realise that there are more than 154,000 unemployed in Scotland? We have now had an intimation about the iron ore terminal and, therefore, will he be most voluble at Cabinet level in pressing for the steel complex at Hunterston? If we do not get it, will he do the honourable thing and, in protest, resign from office?

Mr. Campbell

I assure the hon. Gentleman that I shall continue to be voluble at Cabinet and other levels. I heard my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister replying to the hon. Gentleman's question yesterday after he had made a full statement about the meeting. The hon. Gentleman will have noted that the ore terminal was one of the matters which the representatives of the Scottish Council advocated when they came to see the Prime Minister. The other matters are still under consideration.