§ 24. Mr. Brewisasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the area which includes Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire is the only area in Scotland where unemployment is higher than in June, 1959; and what action he proposes to take to attract new industries to this area.
§ Mr. MaudlingI am aware that unemployment in the Stranraer Exchange area has risen from 5.6 per cent. in June, 1959, to 6.2 per cent. in June, 1960, but unemployment in the other two exchange areas in Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire, Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart, has fallen. Stranraer is a development district under the Local Employment Act and the Board of Trade will continue in its efforts to interest firms in this area.
§ Mr. BrewisMy figures are 1,499 and 1,455. I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he does not think that is a serious position in such a large area, and whether he would not consider Dumfries and Dalbeattie very suitable centres for industry and schedule them under the Local Employment Act?
§ Mr. MaudlingI will look into that point. The figure for Stranraer Exchange area is 6.2 per cent., but that for Castle Douglas has fallen from 2.8 to 2.3 per cent. and that for Newton Stewart from 3.8 to 3.2 per cent. over the last twelve months. There has been a definite improvement there.
§ Mr. W. HamiltonCan the right hon. Gentleman say how the 6 per cent. Bank Rate and other restrictive measures will help to solve this problem?
§ Mr. MaudlingIt will help to keep the economy of the country stable and sound—
§ Mr. ManuelWhat about Stranraer?
§ Mr. Maudling—which is of fundamental importance to Stranraer just as it is to any other part of the country.