§ 12. Mr. Millanasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Clyde shipyard of Simons-Lobnitz Limited at Renfrew is to be 1423 closed next year with the loss of 1,400 jobs; and what steps he is taking to provide alternative employment in the area.
§ Mr. ErrollI am aware of the proposed closure of this shipyard. I shall continue to use my powers under the Local Employment Act to encourage the introduction and expansion of industry on Clydeside.
§ Mr. MillanIs the President of the Board of Trade aware that this considerable shut-down is a disaster to the town of Renfrew and extremely serious to the whole of the surrounding area? Has he had discussions with the firm concerned? Has he intervened with them? Is there much use in his directing all his efforts in looking to industries to expand in the area when this sort of thing can happen and, apparently, the Board of Trade does nothing at all about it?
§ Mr. ErrollI am as disappointed as anybody about the closure. As regards the future of this firm, the departmental responsibility lies with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and it is for him to have discussions with the firm.
§ Mr. MillanIs not the President of the Board of Trade at all concerned about this? Surely, he is the Minister ultimately responsible for employment. Does he not intervene in any way? Does he leave it to the Minister of Transport, in whom many of us do not have a great deal of faith?
§ Mr. ErrollI assure the hon. Member that I have great faith in my colleague the Minister of Transport. While in no way wishing to minimise my responsibilities, I should like to make quite plain that I am not the Minister responsible for employment.