THE Scottish Secretary of State, Bruce Millan, had just announced that £120 million was to be spent in Glasgow’s inner East End. It was, Rev Peter W Millar wrote to this newspaper, “a tremendous encouragement in the present economic climate that such massive aid is to come to this area of large-scale deprivation.”

The minister at Dalmarnock Parish Church said a major report on Dalmarnock, written by local residents, spelt out clearly, “what it is like to live in an area where, in addition to all the complex human and social problems, the basic necessities of life - such as decent housing, shops and adequate community facilities - are in short supply.”

Mr Miller’s letter, which was accompanied by the picture on the right, said there had been a “total lack of consultation” in every part of the East End between local people and the local authority. “On almost every major decision affecting the community in recent times - especially with regard to the widespread demolition programme and the consequent dispersal of hundreds of families - the people living within the area have had no involvement whatsoever. In the light of this, it is not surprising that community depression is at an all-time high - a feeling which is exacerbated by the terrible physical conditions which prevail throughout the area.”

What Eastenders now wanted to know was, would there be “genuine consultation” between the Scottish Development Agency and local communities on the spending of the £120 million?

If not, then not even £1000 million would save the area from “that feeling of neglect and lack of self-worth” which people had accepted for too long “and which lies at the very root of all kinds of other human deprivation,” Mr Millar wrote.