Coatbridge and Airdrie (Hansard, 10 November 1960)

§ 12. Mr. Dempsey
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the reason for the delay in allocating the new advance factory at Coatbridge.

§ Mr. Maudling
The Board of Trade has drawn the attention of a number of firms to this factory; but a tenant has not yet been found.

§ Mr. Dempsey
What is the main reason why the right hon. Gentleman has been unable to find a tenant? Would he also indicate whether this is due to the policy of financial strangulation operated by the Board of Trade in respect of tenancy conditions?

§ Mr. Maudling
"Financial strangulation" is a very wild description of the policy which we are pursuing. After 1198 all, we are doing our best to find a tenant for the factory. It is very much in our interests, as well as Scotland's interests, that we should do so.

§ 13. Mr. Dempsey
asked the President of the Board of Trade how many firms from Coatbridge and Airdrie have applied for financial assistance under the Local Employment Act; and what were the results.

§ Mr. Maudling
Six applications have been received for financial assistance for projects in Coatbridge and Airdrie. In one case the Board has offered assistance in accordance with the Committee's recommendation, though I am sorry to say that the firm have not accepted the offer; two have been rejected, and three are under consideration.

§ Mr. Dempsey
Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the area is rated as one of high unemployment? Will he also bear in mind that, no matter how small the industry is, employment is badly needed? Will he and his Committee take a sympathetic view of the applications now under consideration?

§ Mr. Maudling
I am sure that the Committee is well aware of the need for employment, large or small, in the area, but I think that it is right to carry out the duty placed on it by Parliament of examining the applications very carefully, because it must be concerned not only with the unemployment problem but with safeguarding the public purse.

§ Miss Herbison
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that from both sides of the House today there have been expressions of concern at the Committee's decisions? He will be aware that I have previously raised this subject. How often are representations made to him about the disappointment of firms refused help by the Committee, and are not these refusals so numerous that he feels the time is now opportune to examine the basis on which the Committee is working?

§ Mr. Maudling
Not at all. The figures which I gave the House a little while ago showed that the amount of aid offered and accepted under the present system is already substantial and that great progress has been made. But a large number of applications are 1199 received which, frankly, do not meet the requirement of being genuine and likely-to-succeed commercial operations. The Committee, which is a voluntary body, is doing an extremely good job in examining these applications with a desire, as it certainly has, to help the area concerned. I am sorry if many people are disappointed, but if everyone was satisfied, I should think the House of Commons would feel that we were not looking after the public interest.