HC Deb 18 June 1975 vol 893 cc1377-8
8. Mr. Donald Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will set up a committee to investigate what action could be taken by the Government to ensure to the people of the Western Isles the same cost of living and amenities of life as elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Millan

No, Sir. It is already a function of the Highlands and Islands Development Board to keep under review and advise me on all matters relating to the economic and social well-being and development of the Highlands and Islands.

Mr. Stewart

Is the Minister aware that my constituency is No. 6 in the table of self-employed people in the country who are suffering from the recent penal increase imposed by the Government? Is he aware that we have the highest rate of unemployment in the United Kingdom and the highest transport costs? Is he also aware that I have received a far poorer response from the Secretary of State and his colleagues at the Scottish Office than I had from their Conservative predecessors when asking for assistance for my constituency. In view of that, what does he intend to do?

Mr. Millan

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman is trying to encourage me to take away the £2½ million subsidy to MacBrayne's, which the Government have just announced. As the hon. Gentleman should know, massive amounts of assistance are going to his constituency, and rightly so. We are happy to do that. We would be even happier if the hon. Gentleman would occasionally say "Thank you".