HC Deb 13 March 1952 vol 497 cc1553-4
25. Mr. Manuel

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the location of more industries within the industrial estate at Kilwinning.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Many industrial developments have taken place in the Kilwinning—Kilmarnock area in recent years and it was decided by the previous Government to defer further building on the Kilwinning industrial estate and to hold the available land in reserve for possible future development. The shortage of steel and the need to restrict capital investment are such that I do not think I would be justified at the moment in reversing this decision.

Mr. Manuel

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my constituents in the borough and in the local district of Kilwinning have grave fears about future unemployment? Is he further aware that between the wars this was a distressed area and is now listed as a development area? Is he still further aware that Kilmarnock is a long distance from Kilwinning, and that this answer is the result of having a British Minister for Scottish Questions who does not even know the geography of the area he is talking about?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am at least aware of some of the propositions which the hon. Gentleman puts forward. I have not said that the matter is outside consideration. I have said it was deferred by the previous Government and that for the moment I do not propose to reverse that decision.

Mr. Ralph Assheton

Will my right hon. Friend continue to bear in mind the interests of Lancashire?