HC Deb 13 May 1981 vol 4 cc762-3
13. Mr. Maclennan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which non-elected bodies he consults in the exercise of his planning functions.

Mr. Younger

I consult a wide range of organisations, including a number of non-elected bodies, on different aspects of town and country planning matters. The main non-elected bodies consulted on a regular basis are the Countryside Commission for Scotland, the Nature Conservancy Council, the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland and the Historic Buildings Council.

Mr. Maclennan

rose—

Mr. Skinner

The hon. Gentleman is a non-elected body.

Mr. Maclennan

Is the Secretary of State aware of the anger that has been caused in the Highlands by the Secretary of State's proposals for areas of scenic beauty, for implementation in less than a year? Why is he persistently and stubbornly refusing to accept the advice of the Highland regional council, the Western Isles Islands council and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities that these proposals are inapplicable in the Highlands and will inhibit the development that he and others wish?

Mr. Younger

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. There is no reason why these arrangements should inhibit any development in the Highlands or anywhere else. These measures have already been brought into action in the rest of Scotland. As a special concession to the susceptibilities of the Highlands, I postponed their operation in that area for one year. The planning authority remains the decision-making body. If it can receive some extra advice from other bodies from time to time, surely that will be entirely to its advantage.

Mr. Donald Stewart

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Western Isles Islands council shares the concern of the Highland region and COSLA about the possible interference of the Countryside Commission for Scotland in any future development? In an area in which unemployment is over 21 per cent. that is a serious consideration. Is he aware that Highland region and Western Isles councillors, being residents and natives of the area, have as much concern for the environment as the Countryside Commission?

Mr. Younger

I appreciate the concern of the right hon. Gentleman and of the Highland regional council. However, I would have thought that not even the Highland regional council could be so perfect that it could not benefit from some advice from some other bodies such as the Countryside Commission for Scotland. If it is of any reassurance to the right hon. Gentleman, that scheme has been in operation in Argyll for some months. There is no sign of any difficulty.

Mr. Bill Walker

Does my right hon. Friend agree that in planning and development matters it is essential that there is an approach which balances the needs of the community, including creating jobs? Is he aware that, while I am no friend of quangos, I believe that the Countryside Commission has a role to play which should be carefully monitored?

Mr. Younger

I too have confidence in the Countryside Commission for Scotland and in the Highland regional council, and its planning authority. I am sure that they will do right in planning for the Highlands. However, none of them can be any the worse off for good advice from other bodies. I hope that they will accept that.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

I propose to call one more hon. Member on this question and allow one minute extra at the end of questions at 3.30.

Mr. Foulkes

Is the Secretary of State aware that a non-elected body, namely the South of Scotland Electricity Board, is causing planning blight at Chapeldonan near Girvan by reserving a large area of ground for a power station which will not be needed for at least the next 100 years? Will he instruct the chairman of the South of Scotland Electricity Board to meet the duly elected local authority which he knows well—the Kyle and Carrick district council—to discuss the planning blight which the action of the electricity board is causing in that area?

Mr. Younger

I shall see that the hon. Gentleman's words are drawn to the attention of the chairman of the SSEB. I am sure that he will be prepared to discuss that matter with the planning authority, if it asks him to do so.