HC Deb 28 July 1959 vol 610 cc302-3
29. Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken, since receiving the Scottish Council's Report of the Midlothian Working Party, to bring new industries to the Midlothian area.

Mr. Maclay

I consulted my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, who has the primary responsibility in this matter, about the Scottish Council's suggestions.

Mr. Willis

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is quite unsatisfactory, that under his Government unemployment in the area has practically doubled, that the area has one of the largest commuting populations in Scotland and that new industries have not so far come there, in spite of the fine efforts made by the local authorities? As a final kick before leaving office, will not the right hon. Gentleman try to do something about it?

Mr. Maclay

While I do not accept any of the implications made by the hon. Member, he knows that we have all been working on this problem as hard as we can. I am glad that he paid tribute to the efforts of the local authorities, with which is implicit the efforts that the Government have made to help them.