§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he is sending to the representations from the National Union of Journalists that new town development corporation meetings be held in public; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherI shall refer them to the letter which my right hon. Friend sent to the hon. Member for Dunbartonshire, East (Mr. Hogg) on 1 April, in which he set out his views on this matter and which was released to the press. I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.
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§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to open meetings of the new town corporations of Cumbernauld, Livingstone, Irvine, East Kilbride and Glenrothes to the public or press.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherAs my right hon. Friend indicated in a letter to the hon. Member for Dunbartonshire, East (Mr. MacKay) on 1 April, which was released to the press and of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend, we have reached the conclusion that it would not be right to direct the corporations to open their meetings, since so much of their business is with private companies or individuals and is confidential. We none the less accept that there is a legitimate interest on the part of the press and public in what the corporations do, and have therefore specifically requested them to develop regular and frequent contact with the press.