§ 24. Miss Herbisonasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to attract industry to the Newmains Cleland area of Lanarkshire, which is scheduled under the Local Employment Act.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonThe Board of Trade is continuing its efforts to encourage the introduction and expansion of industry throughout North Lanarkshire, and the Board's Office for 188 Scotland is in close touch with the Lanarkshire County Council. Because of subsidence there is difficulty in finding industrial sites in the Newmains Cleland area, but there is suitable land available within a few miles.
§ Miss HerbisonThis area has lost many hundreds of jobs in the last few years as a result of the closing of ironworks and pits and, since no alternative industry whatever has come in, what steps—other than those that have been announced by the Parliamentary Secretary today and about which we have heard year after year—and what action are the Government taking to attract industry to this area?
§ Mr. MacphersonThe Local Employment Act facilities are, of course, available and, in addition, a number of jobs are developing round about. There are 4,800 jobs in prospect in the North Lanarkshire area and, as the hon. Lady knows, unemployment in the area has declined by 1,500 in the last year.