§ 3. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for restoring and increasing the traditional trade and commerce between Aberdeen and the Scandinavian countries in order to counterbalance the loss and damage inflicted on the North-East of Scotland by the Outer Seven Agreement.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe establishment of the European Free Trade Association will stimulate our exports to all the other member countries. It will thus help to further our policies for promoting economic activity in all parts of the United Kingdom. I do not accept the suggestion in the Question that the North-East of Scotland will be damaged.
§ Mr. HughesIs the President of the Board of Trade aware that, in response to letters I have sent to the Scandinavian countries, I have received replies showing that people there are very willing to trade with Aberdeen? Further, is he aware that his answer is lacking in de-finiteness, and will he do something concrete to encourage Aberdeen-Scandinavian trade?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am delighted to hear of the hon. and learned Gentleman's correspondence, which appears to show that 1ihe expansion of trade between Aberdeen and Scandinavia is primarily the responsibility of those who live in Aberdeen.
§ 20. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state in detail how far he has used the powers given to him by the Local Employment Act to build factories and attract trade and industry to the city and county of Aberdeen; what are his present and future plans in this respect; how many feet of factory space are or will be involved; what inquiries he has received for the utilisation of those factories and that space; and with what result.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe Local Employment Act came into operation on 1st April. Applications for assistance under the Act for projects in Aberdeen City and county are under consideration and will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
§ Mr. HughesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that "under consideration" is no answer to the Question, which asks for details of plans? Is he aware that this Act was passed on representations to this House that quick benefit would follow and that yet he has no plan? What are his plans?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am sorry if I have not made complete plans in the course of the last three weeks, but since the Act was passed we have been considering applications from people who may, we hope, go to the Aberdeen area.
§ Lady TweedsmuirHas my right hon. Friend asked local authorities for information in regard to sites prepared or ready to be prepared, and chambers of commerce for lists of existing firms who 360 are interested in securing fresh contacts and markets or perhaps opportunities to manufacture under licence?
§ Mr. MaudlingI think our regional organisation normally has very good contacts with the local authorities, and also wide knowledge of what sites are available. In so far as concerns existing firms wanting to expand their businesses, the Board of Trade is always willing to help when it can, but, by and large, this is a matter for the enterprise of the individual firms themselves.