Former MP for Ross and Cromarty
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the difficulties experienced by patients in many parts of the Highlands and Islands because of the heavy expenses they incur travelling to hospital; what action he now proposes to take; and if he will make a statement.
Is my right hon. Friend aware that this statement will be received with great relief that at long last my right hon. Friend has decided to take this step? Since he will be alleviating many hardships, may I take this opportunity to thank him on behalf of the people who will welcome his reply?
Did I understand my right hon. Friend to say that what the motor industry wants is one big firm making component parts?
If that is not so, there is no point in my asking the question.
I am pleased to follow the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. W. Hamilton), although there was a great deal in his speech with which I disagreed. I certainly agree with the hon. Member, however, concerning science laboratories and the like. There is no doubt that the hon. Member and the right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) were quite right in saying that Scotland lacks the...
I think there is a greater chance. My right hon. Friend has done, as a farmer, a great deal for the farming community. I hope that he will follow this up. [Interruption.] The Price Review was welcomed by all sections of the farming community and was a great stimulus to it. We must have more distribution of industry. The position in Scotland is certainly acute. There is a gross...
I have written so many letters about it that tomorrow one of the head chaps is coming to see me here about it. I hope that the hon. Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Rankin) will join me at about 11 o'clock tomorrow morning and we can discuss the matter, as he is so interested.
As the hon. Gentleman intervened I thought that I would graciously ask him to help me. I hope he will come if he can. I welcome the fact that the Highland Fund is to be used for the administration of loans and the granting of £50,000 to help small industries. The Fund has already helped considerably. In a country with a sparse population, any small industry which employs only a few people...
