§ 5. Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of Glasgow eastern area renewal; and what proposals he has for the future of this project.
§ Mr. RifkindDraft overall proposals for GEAR have been prepared by the Scottish Development Agency and are intended to provide a framework for action over the period to 1982 and beyond. They will be considered at the next meeting of the project governing committee. I have visited the area and had introductory discussions with the Scottish Development Agency; but obviously further discussions will be necessary before I can reach a view on how to secure the success of the project.
§ Mr. MarshallWill the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the project, which has attracted so much favourable attention and brought hope to an area badly in need of it, will not be affected by cuts in public spending?
§ Mr. RifkindI made clear when I visited the GEAR project on Friday that the Government believe in the project and wish to see it succeed. The representations we have received about GEAR relate not to financial resources but to the slowness of decision-making. It is in that area that we are trying to ascertain whether progress may be achieved.
§ Dr. M. S. MillerMay we congratulate the Under-Secretary of State on his second visit to Glasgow?
§ Mr. RifkindI think that I can assure the hon. Gentleman that my visits to Glasgow are probably substantially greater in number than his visits to Edinburgh.