§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many projects similar to the Government-sponsored English Inner Area Study Reports have been undertaken in Scotland;
(2) what studies have been undertaken under his sponsorship on urban housing problems since 1970;
(3) what studies similar to the English Inner Area Study Reports have been undertaken or are planned for those areas in Clydeside highlighted as areas of maximum urban deprivation in the recent Department of the Environment survey statistics;
(4) whether he will initiate Inner Area Study reports in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RossA number of corresponding studies and projects have been carried out, suited to Scotland's problems which are not confined to inner city areas. These include the West Central Scotland Plan which is being followed up in the Strathclyde Regional Report; a report, shortly to be published, on housing needs and strategies; community and housing projects, e.g., at Alloa, Govan, Mother-well and Paisley; and other local activities. Earlier this year, I set up a small Urban Renewal Unit in the Scottish Development Department to co-ordinate and promote work in this field.