Hansard

I am proud to represent Clydesdale, which is one of the most beautiful and diverse parts of Scotland and which has a wealth of history, culture and experience. In many ways, it is a microcosm of Scotland, both urban and rural, and New Lanark is the jewel in its crown. That is why I am delighted that my first members' business debate is on New Lanark. I am grateful to the members from all parties who have signed the motion and to those who have stayed behind tonight—of all nights—for the debate.

I welcome to the public gallery representatives of the trustees and staff of the New Lanark Conservation Trust, many of whom have worked on the project for more than 20 years. They were tremendously proud when, last Friday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization rightly granted the village world heritage status. In particular, I pay tribute to the work of Harry Smith, the chairman of trustees, and Jim Arnold, the director, who have been with the project since its inception and who had the vision and belief to see it through to its wonderful conclusion.

World heritage sites are diverse and include some of the most beautiful and historically significant sites in the world—the pyramids, the Taj Mahal and the great wall of China, to name but a few. New Lanark is special and unique and deserves to be added to that illustrious list.

New Lanark was born out of a spirit of enterprise allied to a vision of a better, fairer future for all. Robert Owen was a man of vision; he was way before his time. In Owen, enterprise was allied to a passionate belief that the key factor to a better and fairer society was education. In an age characterised by cruel mill managers and "dark satanic mills" Owen recognised that the most important assets of the company were its work force and their families. He introduced decent homes, fair wages, free health care and co-operative shops. He took children out of the cotton mills and put them into the classroom.

The first infant school in the world was established in the village. Evening classes were provided for the adults too. The work force had access to the arts, music, nature study, history and geography, as well as the traditional reading, writing and arithmetic, which gave the most comprehensive of educations. Owen's work had a significant impact not just in New Lanark, but throughout the world. It inspired progressive education, factory reform, humane working practices, co-operation and garden cities.

The New Lanark cotton mills continued in production until 1968. The closure of the mills created a crisis and the village came close to at least partial demolition. In 1974, the New Lanark Conservation Trust was formed. It was committed to the restoration of New Lanark as a living, working community and an excellent example of an industrial settlement. Today, that dream has been realised. The housing has been restored and the village has a resident population of 180, who live in beautiful sandstone tenements.

The mill buildings, school and the Institute for the Formation of Character building are all now back to their former glory. New Lanark is a successful tourist attraction with an award winning visitor centre and an excellent hotel. It welcomes about 400,000 visitors every year from all over the world, including the Scottish Parliament Education, Culture and Sport Committee in September. I am sure that anyone who has made the journey to New Lanark could not help but be impressed, not just by the stunning natural beauty of the Falls of Clyde and the village nestling below, but by the truly world-class facilities that are on offer.

The granting of world heritage status to the village is not before time. In it, New Lanark gains universal cultural acclamation and access to an international network of sites. I know that our late First Minister, Donald Dewar, was passionately committed to New Lanark and a regular visitor to the village. He would be proud at the recognition that it has now been given. New Lanark is a worthy addition to the world heritage list. It is the first such industrial site in Scotland, and it will represent Scotland well.

Scotland's heritage is diverse. It may include castles and stately homes, but our social and industrial heritage is just as important. It shapes who we are. It is right that the social and industrial heritage that is so much part of our traditions is recognised alongside the more traditional visions of heritage. That is what New Lanark encompasses.

What are the challenges and opportunities for New Lanark—and indeed for the Parliament—now? Clydesdale has an opportunity to build on New Lanark's success and to secure further economic and social regeneration. We must further develop our infrastructure and the tourism industry to ensure that the 400,000 people who visit New Lanark explore the other hidden treasures that can be found throughout Clydesdale. We must sustain the positive partnership that exists between the local councils, the Scottish Executive and other bodies so as to develop the village further.

Developments such as that at New Lanark will cost money, and it will continue to cost money to sustain the village and further develop its successes. We must work together to ensure that the money is in place.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Parliament have an opportunity to think outside the box. Why are educational visits to national museums and galleries and to Historic Scotland sites free, yet schools must pay to take children to New Lanark, which is a vital part of our social culture and heritage? Given New Lanark's unique position as Scotland's only industrial world heritage site, will the minister consider making provision for free educational visits to New Lanark as a positive investment by the Scottish Executive in future generations' educational development?

New Lanark is not just about the past—about history and heritage: it is a vision of socialist planning and co-operation that is as relevant today as it was in the 1800s. In the words of Robert Owen on new year's day 1816:

"What ideas individuals may attach to the term ‘millennium' I know not; but I know that society may be formed so as to exist without crime, without poverty, with health greatly improved, with little, if any misery, and with intelligence and happiness increased a hundredfold; and no obstacle whatsoever intervenes at this moment except ignorance to prevent such a state of society from becoming universal".

Those words are as relevant today as they were when they were spoken. They articulate a vision of society that I share and to which all of us must aspire. That vision can be achieved with unity of purpose, commitment and hard work—the same unity of purpose, commitment and hard work that have secured world heritage status for New Lanark.