§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's policy to the development of Scotland's new towns, in view of the uncertainty caused by the cancellation of the Stonehouse project; and whether regional authorities or the Scottish Development Department will be the relevant decision-making body in any decision affecting the expansion of new towns.
§ Mr. Gregor MacKenzieGovernment policy is to continue to support the development of Scotland's new towns to their target populations. The cancellation of the Stonehouse project was a particular decision taken for particular reasons. The pace of development within designated areas will be determined in consultation with regional authorities, but in the context that new towns serve a national, not just a local, purpose.