HC Deb 10 December 1975 vol 902 cc448-9
15. Mr. Crawford

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will be attending the annual general meeting of the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) on 15th December.

Mr. Millan

No, Sir. This is an independent body and it would not be appropriate for my right hon. Friend to attend.

Mr. Crawford

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is a great pity, as his right hon. Friend might have taken the opportunity to discuss with the Scottish Council its view that the White Paper does nothing to solve Scotland's fundamental industrial problem"? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the negative attitude of his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is converting more and more of the industrial community in Scotland, both labour and management, to the SNP?

Mr. Millan

I must say that I had not noticed that at all, and I meet representatives of the industrial community quite frequently.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

As the Scottish Council is among the leading campaigners for the transfer of 6,000 Civil Service jobs to the West of Scotland, will the Minister say whether he and his colleagues are taking steps to ensure that the programme, which has slipped behind, will be brought forward in view of the serious unemployment situation in Scotland?

Mr. Millan

The programme has not slipped behind. I hope very much that there will be an announcement shortly.