§ 25. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the loss which will be inflicted on the international and other trade carried on by Scottish firms and business by the closing down of his Department's offices in Scotland; if, instead of closing these offices, he will consider transferring them to Aberdeen, which is easy of access to and by the whole north of Scotland; in the meantime, if he will make a detailed statement of his plans indicating how the functions of his Department's offices will, in future, be discharged; and how he will compensate Scottish firms and businesses by alternative services.
§ Mr. ErrollThe Board's Office for Scotland, which is in Glasgow, and the district office in Inverness will not be closed. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the closure of the district offices in 949 Edinburgh and Dundee can be effected without harm to the services which the Board provide to Scottish industry; in particular, the services of the district office in Inverness will continue to be available for firms in the north of Scotland.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the hon. Gentleman realise that it is entirely wrong to make a change of this kind without consulting the local chambers of commerce and trades councils and other authorities which are very much aware of the relevant facts? Will he take steps to consult such bodies before making any further change?
§ Mr. ErrollWe are well aware of the services which our offices give, and we do not think that those services will be impaired by the economies that we have made.