§ 4. Miss Herbisonasked the President of the Board of Trade his plans for alternative industry for the Shotts, Harthill, Salsburgh, Cleland area which has suffered from colliery closures.
§ Mr. MaudlingWe have given wide publicity to the fact that in all suitable cases factories will be built, or grants or loans considered, for firms willing to go to North Lanarkshire.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the President of the Board of Trade aware that the area specified in the Question has been the worst hit by colliery closures in the whole of Britain, and that it will possibly be hit again under the new plans? Does he realise that what his Department has done so far has brought no work at all to this area and that he must show a greater sense of urgency than his predecessors have shown in this matter?
§ Mr. MaudlingI cannot accept that my predecessors have shown anything but a sense of urgency in this matter. I agree that the difficulties are very considerable in this particular area. I certainly accept that, but so far there has been no firm and eligible application for assistance from D.A.T.A.C. I hope that the development of the strip mill at Ravenscraig may help, and we are doing what we can to persuade industry to go into this part of Scotland.