HC Deb 12 July 1972 vol 840 cc1553-5
2. Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received from the Scottish Trades Union Congress about Government policy in Scotland; and what replies he has sent.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

I received for comment a number of resolutions passed at the recent annual congress and I have taken careful note of all these. On matters entirely within my responsibility I have sent replies explaining the Government's policies. After consultation with me, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Industrial Development has given a comprehensive reply on behalf of the Government to the composite resolution on the Scottish economy which was sent to a number of Ministers including my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Mr. Sillars

The Secretary of State is aware that developments are moving very swiftly in Scottish TUC opinion. Is he aware of the meeting which took place in. Lanarkshire yesterday and of the view taken there that it is absolutely essential to obtain a very high output target for the BSC as a prerequisite for the Hunterston development project? If the right hon. Gentleman knows that we shall not get either of these two objectives, will he now resign from office and, using his intimate knowledge of this particular situation, come out of Government and lead the Scottish campaign for these desirable objectives?

Mr. Campbell

I have led successful Scottish campaigns in the past, when I have not had other duties to perform. [HON. MEMBERS: "Such as?"] I have led successful campaigns, including one for the severely disabled. I am aware of the anxiety in Lanarkshire and Mother-well about this matter, but people there are also anxious about the effects of a major steelworks upon their area because it would greatly reduce the number of people employed in relation to unit output and it might well have other effects upon their area. Therefore, this is a much more complicated subject than the hon. Gentleman makes out.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

In the representations which my right hon. Friend has received from the Scottish Trades Union Congress, has there been any indication on the part of that body of a desire to purge the unfortunately rather too well justified reputation of the trade union movement in West Central Scotland for mindless militancy, a reputation both at home and abroad which is a major obstacle to the attraction of incoming industry?

Mr. Campbell

Like my hon. Friend, I deplore mindless militancy where it is to be found, but I should say that the Scottish Trades Union Congress and its officials have themselves always been against it and I would not accuse them of it.

Mr. Grimond

Has the Secretary of State yet found time to study the latest remarks of Sir William McEwan Younger on the subject of steel? Will he look at the suggestion for having a separate Scottish Steel Corporation, as economies of scale have now reached their maximum and it is undesirable that everything should be run from London? Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Scottish Unionist Party to have Sir William's speeches published in a book?

Mr. Campbell

That isa matter for Sir William. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, I have with me the text of one of his speeches, as I had the one on oil three weeks ago. It is much better that people should read what Sir William actually said as opposed to some of the over-simplified reports which appear in the Press. It is really a matter for Sir William himself.