§ 5. Mr. Lambieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he instructed officials at the Scottish Development Department to inform Kyle and Carrick District Council that future housing needs in Troon be met by Irvine Development Corporation.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownThe district council has merely been asked to provide information supporting the need for 120 houses which it proposes to build in Troon.
§ Mr. LambieI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that many people in Ayrshire are beginning to wonder who is running the Scottish Office and its policies—civil servants or Ministers? Does my hon. Friend realise that Irvine Development Corporation has a statutory duty to provide houses only for incoming workers and that district councils have a statutory duty to build houses for local people? Will my hon. Friend guarantee that an immediate go-ahead will be given for the 124 houses at Logan Drive, Troon, for local Troon people?
§ Mr. BrownI am sorry to disappoint my hon. Friend by replying to this Question, because I know that he likes to have a bash at the Secretary of State for Scotland.
1509 There will be no difficulty about giving approval to the proposals from the Cunninghame District Council, provided that the price is right and that normal contractual procedures have been followed. But there is a real problem here regarding the Irvine Development Corporation and the Cunninghame District Council. I hope that my hon. Friend will use his undoubted creative talents to have a constructive dialogue with the new town corporation and the Cunninghame District Council.
§ Mr. SillarsIs my hon. Friend aware that we are talking about Kyle and Carrick District Council, not Cunninghame District Council? Can be explain why, if people from Troon are to be housed in the Irvine New Town area, Troon should not be placed in Cunninghame District Council?
§ Mr. BrownI recollect that matter being discussed at great length and my hon. Friend getting into trouble about his suggestions about it. I referred to Cunninghame because Irvine New Town is within the Cunninghame district, but obviously I should have included Kyle and Carrick. If it includes anybody else, I hope that they will have a constructive dialogue with all concerned.