§ 32. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the effect of the recent trade agreement between Great Britain and Denmark on the Scottish agricultural industry and its ancillary industries.
§ 44. Mr. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the effect of the projected outer seven Free Trade Area upon Scottish agricultural and industrial interests.
§ Mr. MaclayI would refer the hon. Member to the assurances with regard to agriculture given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his statement of 9th July on the Anglo-Danish Agreement.
As regards industry generally, while [appreciate that some fears have been expressed in particular quarters, my belief is that the project would be of real benefit to Scotland as a whole.
§ Mr. HughesIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the assurances to which he refers were quite unsatisfactory to North-East Scotland? Does he realise 1058 that this agreement is likely to accentuate the unemployment problem which is already acute in Aberdeen City and County? Will he tell me what steps he is taking to protect Aberdeen from that disaster?
§ Mr. MaclayThe hon. and learned Gentleman is taking an entirely gloomy view of the situation. This agreement, should it be concluded, should be of the greatest value to Scotland as a whole, which is what we have all got to have in mind.
§ Mr. RossIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that those who are immediately concerned have expressed very gloomy predictions about what is to happen to the industries which they know best—those concerned with paper and paper making? Does he appreciate that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has told us already that they are very expensive to him in Scotland? Are we to take it now that Scotland is expendable?
§ Mr. MaclayNo, Sir. The hon. Gentleman is putting a quite unreasonable interpretation on the Chancellor of the Exchequer's remarks.