§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the total amounts realised from the sale of industrial and commercial assets in each of the new towns for 1980–81 and 1981–82.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe information is as follows:
1980–81 1981–82 £ million £ million Cumbernauld 2.5 0.3 East Kilbride 3.1 0.9 Glenrothes 1.0 0.3 Irvine 1.3 1.3 Livingston 1.6 1.9 TOTALS 9.5 4.7
§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when he last met the chairmen of the new town development corporations; and which subjects were discussed;
(2) when he next expects to meet the chairmen of the new town development corporations; and what subjects he intends to discuss.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherMy right hon. Friend met the chairmen of the five Scottish new town development corporations on 28 May this year when they discussed the policy statement on the Scottish new towns and industrial promotion. His aim is to meet the chairmen at least annually, and he would therefore expect to do so again in the course of next year. The agenda for that meeting will include subjects of current mutual concern at the time.
§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to improve communications between the new town development corporations and the public.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe development corporations in Scotland have at my request taken further measures to develop regular and frequent contact with the press and to improve the presentation of their activities to360W the public. The dissemination of information about the new towns, their functions, aims, and progress has been increased. All development corporation chairmen now offer to meet the press following meetings of their corporations and make themselves readily accessible to the press on other occasions as well. Reports of matters under discussion and details of developments are circulated whenever possible and the press attend joint meetings of corporations and district councils.
§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what conclusions he has reached on the representations submitted in response to the Scottish economic planning department's paper "New Towns in Scotland—A Policy Statement"; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherResponses to the policy statement were still being received last month, by my right hon. Friend hopes to reach his conclusions and make a statement shortly.