Land Use (Western Highlands) (Hansard, 2 May 1973)

§ 2. Mr. Douglas
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the recent representations made to him regarding land use in the Western Highlands.

§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Gordon Campbell)
We receive many views, both written and oral, about planning proposals involving land use which may or may not become formal planning applications. When they do, most are dealt with by the local planning authority concerned.

§ Mr. Douglas
Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that local authorities have sufficient powers under the planning Acts to deal with the comprehensive applications that come before them? Will he consider using the legislation in the 1972 Act to set up a planning inquiry commission which would be able to point to alternative sites? Will he also condemn the rather passive view expressed in today's Scotsman by the Chairman of the Highlands and Islands Development Board about oil developments in the Highlands?

§ Mr. Campbell
The planning procedures are laid down in Acts of Parliament passed by this House. I have used the speediest means possible on the appropriate occasions to enable planning permission to be given in an accelerated way, or by calling in applications. The powers of the local authorities are laid down and it would need another Act to change them. If the reform of local government as we have it in our Bill is carried out, the local authorities will become larger and able to cope more easily with large projects.

§ Mr. MacArthur
What progress is my right hon. Friend making with his consideration of the report on land use in Scotland produced by the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs?

§ Mr. Campbell
It is being considered most carefully, as I said recently in the House, and the views of the Government will be made know as soon as practicable.

§ Mr. Ross
Bearing in mind the welcome given by the Department through the Minister to the new powers being sought by Shetland County Council, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has had applications from either the Highlands and Islands Development Board or the mainland county authorities for the use of compulsory powers in respect of land problems?

§ Mr. Campbell
I need notice to be able to give a precise answer to that question, but certainly no proposal similar to that of Shetland have been put forward by another county council.