§ 3. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of green belt exist at present; how many there were 11 years ago; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton)There are 502,225 acres of green belt in Scotland at present, and in 1979 there were 539,621. The reduction from 1979 is due almost solely to the abolition of the Dundee green belt in 1982.
§ Mr. GreenwayWill my hon. Friend say what he is doing to defend the green belt against Scottish Labour local authorities which cannot be trusted with it if they attack it as their English counterparts do? What is the position with playing fields, which are most important recreation facilities?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI am aware of my hon. Friend's concern about playing fields. It may be that some unused playing fields can sensibly be released without detriment to the local authority, but each case must be considered on its merits. We must remain strongly committed to green belts and our policy remains that developments in green belts will be strictly controlled. The Labour-controlled Dundee district agreed with both Tayside regional council and the Angus district council that abandonment of the green belt would not result in any material change in attitude to development in the rural hinterland of Dundee. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State and I were not involved in that decision, but it was not contentious at the time.
§ Mr. DalyellWill the Minister reflect on the way in which certain distinguished multinational companies have held a proverbial pistol at our head, saying that if they do not get a green belt site they will not come to Scotland at all? Will the Minister call in papers from the West Lothian district council and the Lothian region about the history of the welcome Digital factory at Queensferry?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonWith regard to the green belt, that strong presumption will remain and we shall not be pressured into abandoning it. We shall look carefully at the considerations that the hon. Gentleman has mentioned for incoming jobs for Scotland, and I will examine the case that he has mentioned.