§ Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Zetland County Council about the setting up of a Scottish Assembly; and what reply he has made.
§ Mr. William RossThe Shetland Islands Council has drawn to my attention a resolution to the effect that they see no benefit to the Shetland community from any devolution involving the independence of Shetland, and in these circumstances wish for the time being the continuation of direct links with
Number of Resolutions Number of Houses Demolition Improvement Total Demolition Improvement Total Draft Resolutions Glasgow … 25 3 28 1,529 615 2,144 Edinburgh … 1 6 7 161 519 680 Cunninghame (Ardrossan) … — 1 1 — 8 8 Aberdeen … — 1 1 — 16 16 … 26 11 37 1,690 1,158 2,848 Final Resolutions Glasgow … 6 1 7 592 245 837 Edinburgh … 1 1 2 161 42 203 … 7 2 9 753 287 1,040 Local authorities are not required to inform me when activity begins after a final resolution is made. Detailed guidance has been issued on the operation of housing action areas and local authorities are being given assistance and encouragement to implement the provisions of the statute.
The Housing (Scotland) Acts do not provide for the establishment of general improvement areas and the provisions for Scottish housing action areas are concerned with the demolition or improvement of unsatisfactory houses, not with the building of new houses.
218WWestminster. Replies have been to the effect that the Government are committed by the White Paper of September 1974 (Cmnd. 5732) to the setting up of a directly-elected Scottish Assembly; that the council may wish to consider matters further in light of the more detailed picture of devolution which the forthcoming White Paper will give; and that a discussion can be held thereafter if the council so desires.