HC Deb 21 June 1972 vol 839 cc455-6
16. Mr. Lambie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is able to announce the name of the person who will be nominated to fill the vacancy on Irvine Development Corporation.

Mr. Younger

Ayr County Council nominated four persons, in the usual way, from whom my right hon. Friend could appoint one to fill the vacancy. The person he invited has refused the appointment. My right hon. Friend is considering the situation.

Mr. Lambie

That is a disgraceful answer and one that we would expect from a Tammany Hall-type of politician. Is not the Under-Secretary prepared to accept the original nominatiton of Councillor Bob Beattie made to him by Ayr County Council? Is the Under-Secretary afraid that Councillor Beattie would be no "yes man" but would stand up and speak up for the unfortunate citizens of Irvine new town, who have to suffer the Tory political attitudes of the Tory-dominated new town board?

Mr. Younger

I am not very sure what is an exact descriptiton of a "no yes man", but I will think about that later. My right hon. Friend has many responsibilities but I do not think one of them can be for people who are invited to join a board refusing to accept nomination. That is the simple situation. My answer was factual and particularly straightforward.

Dr. Dickson Mabon

Is there any departure from past practice in the peculiar situation at Irvine, where the new town is astride two authorities and where the county council is also involved, so that three local authority representatives are required?

Mr. Younger

There has been no departure from the practice which is for the county council to nominate several persons of whom one is selected by the Secretary of State.