§ 24. Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will pay an official visit to the Clyde Estuary.
§ Mr. William RossWhile I have no plans for an official visit, I have no doubt that I shall be a frequent visitor to areas bordering the Clyde Estuary.
§ Mr. CorrieI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, but I am sorry that he is not coming to have one last look at the beauty of the Clyde before it is destroyed by the development there. Do I take it from yesterday's announcement in the House that the Polaris base in the Clyde Estuary will be staying on for the foreseeable future?
§ Mr. RossAs I live on the Clyde Estuary, I should like to visit it a little more often than I do. I am conscious of the concern about the Clyde, but it was the hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend the previous Secretary of State who made the decision about the planning inquiry. In principle, the case for development at Hunterston, the area most 427 concerned, has already been made. The question is what kind of development there should be there.
§ Mr. George LawsonWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that in the Clyde Estuary and the Forth Estuary, with a narrow belt of land between, Scotland has an invaluable geographical position in relation to the European Community? Will he do his utmost to ensure that we develop our relations with the Community to the benefit of Scotland?
§ Mr. RossI hope that we use the two estuaries and developments there to the benefit of the people of Scotland and the people of the rest of the world.