HC Deb 06 July 1977 vol 934 cc1226-7
6. Mr. Russell Johnston

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will pay a visit to Laggan Locks.

The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Mr. Gregor MacKenzie)

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

Mr. Johnston

If the right hon. Gentleman is unable to go to Laggan Locks, will he at least assure us that he is aware of the widespread and informed concern about the state of the Caledonian Canal, in which the right hon. Gentleman has a direct interest in view of the investment of the Highlands and Islands Development Board and the need to ensure the free passage of fishing boats? Will he at least assure us that if he were approached he would be willing to use the good offices of the Scottish Office to see whether there would be any way of preventing a further prolonged closure of the canal such as that we are now suffering?

Mr. MacKenzie

As the hon. Gentleman knows, this is a matter for the British Waterways Board. I have met pleasure craft owners, and so forth, on several occasions. We hope to have the canal fully operational by the first week of August. It is a massive job, costing a great deal of money, which has come from Government sources. In all the circumstances the organisations concerned with it have got on with the job as quickly as possible.

Mr. Budgen

Will the Minister take the opportunity of going to Laggan Locks as quickly as possible to make a speech about reflation? Will he explain throughout the length and breadth of the Highlands that reflation is no more than a silly name for inflation, and that once we have reflation it will be followed in about two years' time by an increase in the rate of inflation?

Mr. MacKenzie

The hon. Gentleman had better go to Laggan Locks himself. If he does, he will soon discover that there are barely enough folk there to whom to make a speech. Such is my right hon. Friend's appeal that he might draw a wider audience than that of the population of the area. He would certainly take ample opportunity to spell out the Government's view on the whole question of the reflation of the economy.