asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the results of his consultations on the new town in the Irvine area with the local authorities concerned.

As a means of giving the local authorities a clearer picture of the form which a major development might take, and of identifying sites suitable for early development without prejudice to the longer term, I have asked an eminent planning consultant to prepare a basic plan for the area which might eventually be designated as a new town. Consultations are proceeding but will not be concluded until the consultant's interim report is available.

While appreciating that the right hon. Gentleman has a particular interest in this part of the world, does he realise that the consultations carried out by planning officers earlier in the Scottish Office did identify this area as the most suitable? Will he, before long, be able to come to a conclusion about it?

The right hon. Gentleman will know that, compared with him, I am at a distinct advantage in that I know the area and the local authorities. He will appreciate that even in the last statement which he made, on 15th September, he said that his preparedness to designate the area was subject to consultations with the local authorities. These are going on.

I am prepared to admit that the right hon. Gentleman knows the area better, but that could be a disadvantage in this case.