30. Mr. J. Hillasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give his reasons for removing the Calders from the areas listed under the Local Employment Act.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe hon. Gentleman no doubt has in mind the announcement I made on 25th October, that I would not accept any more applications for assistance under the Local Employment Act for the Bathgate Employment Exchange area, of which the Calders form part. The reason is the improved employment prospects in that area.
Mr. HillIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his statement has caused grave concern in the areas which he has described? Is he also aware that there is now less chance of industry going to an area which has not had any so far? As there are now more closures in the shale oil industry, will he use what influence he has with his right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to get him to give some relief to the industry, thereby preventing more men from becoming redundant?
§ Mr. MaudlingCurrent unemployment in the area is 1,037 and the total number to be employed in the B.M.C. project at Bathgate in the next few years is more than 5,000.