§ 27. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the outcome of his discussions with other Government Departments concerning the threatened closure of certain textile mills at Prinlaws, Fife.
§ Mr. MaclayAs the hon. Member has been informed, the Board of Trade will take any suitable opportunity to bring these premises, should they be vacated, to the notice of industrialists. The Scottish Council (Development and Industry)has been in touch with the liquidator and will be ready, if necessary, to help with publicity for the premises. I understand that the time advertised by the liquidator for receiving offers for the business has not yet expired.
§ Mr. HamiltonNo, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it expires on Saturday and that the local people are extremely concerned because, apart from anything else, they have not been given any information whatever? The firm did not inform the trade union concerned of what it intended to do: we are completely in the dark, and the people do not know what is to happen to their houses after Saturday next. This is a cavalier treatment of workers in the twentieth century.
§ Mr. MaclayEvery effort is being made with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, and with the help of the Scottish Council, to do something about this.