§ 16. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the impending redundancy at Dundee gasworks, he will investigate the possibility of adapting the site to provide facilities for new industrial development.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonNo, Sir. We already have land and one empty factory in Dundee available for new industrial development.
§ Mr. ThomsonDoes the Minister realise that this is a case of a Government Board reducing employment and of his own Department failing, despite a great deal of notice, to provide alternative employment? Will he look into the matter again? Does he know that the site itself is very near to good road, rail and sea communications? If it is to remain derelict as a result of redundancy, will the Government take some action about it?
§ Mr. MacphersonI do not think that the Government could undertake, wherever a nationalised industry declares a redundancy, themselves to offer alternative employment.
§ Sir J. DuncanIs my hon. Friend aware that this site has very good road communications and has a railway siding already into it? It is, therefore, most suitable for any new industry which might be induced to come. If industries are making inquiries about where to go, will my hon. Friend offer this site in Dundee?
§ Mr. MacphersonThere is nothing to prevent the site being used or adapted. I understood that the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson) was asking that we should adapt a site in advance of demand.