§ 9. Mrs. McLaughlinasked the President of the Board of Trade, having regard to the persistently high unemployment in Northern Ireland, what steps he will take to interest expanding firms in Northern Ireland.
§ Sir D. EcclesResponsibility for promoting industrial development in Northern Ireland rests with the Northern Ireland Government but my Department is doing everything it can, and will continue to do so, both at headquarters and in the regions, to help the Ministry of Commerce find suitable new projects. We bring the facilities in Northern Ireland including the plentiful supply of good labour, to the notice of all industrialists, wishing to move or expand, whose needs appear likely to be met by going there.
§ Mrs. McLaughlinMay I thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer, which will no doubt bring satisfaction to many people in Northern Ireland who have been under the impression that Her Majesty's Government do not have Northern Ireland as a matter of prime concern for their consideration? May I assure him that anything he does will be very much appreciated?