§ 15. Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the implementation of the Report of the West Central Scotland Plan Steering Committee.
§ Mr. MillanI understand that the report will shortly be forwarded to the Stathclyde Regional Council and to my right hon. Friend. I expect that the regional council will wish to consider it urgently, as a basis for its regional strategy. The Government's proposals for a Scottish development agency will be very relevant to some of the recommendations.
§ Mr. YoungerWill the Minister bear in mind that it has taken four and a half years for this study to be produced since its inauguration, and that it is most important that it should be acted on before its conclusions become out of date? Will 1310 he say what will be the future relationship with regard to the Strathclyde Regional Council, the Scottish development agency and the Scottish assembly in carrying out a regeneration of this most vital area of western Scotland—an area which at present is crippled by strikes?
§ Mr. MillanI agree with the hon. Gentleman that this is a vitally important area and that the report has been a long time appearing. Among the various authorities there is no consensus about the report's recommendations. We shall have to wait to hear what the regional council thinks about the matter. Naturally, we are taking the recommendations into consideration wherever relevant. I must ask the hon. Gentleman to wait a little longer for details of the Scottish development agency. I am sure that when they are known they will be widely welcomed even by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Dr. BrayDoes the Minister agree that the Scottish development agency need not wait upon the establishment of the National Enterprise Board, in view of the high unemployment level and opportunities afforded by North Sea oil development?
§ Mr. MillanI agree with my hon. Friend. Legislation on both bodies will come forward in the present Session, as has already been announced.