§ 9. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now state the amounts in grants and loans provided during the last 12 months under the Local Employment Act to projects in Aberdeen group of employment exchange area; and what is his present policy in this regard for that area.
§ Mr. D. PriceNo offers of assistance under the Local Employment Act were made for projects in the Aberdeen area during 1962. My right hon. Friend's policy is to continue to use his powers under the Act to encourage the introduc- 216 tion and expansion of industry in Aberdeen. He will, of course, welcome any application from those already established in the area with sound projects to create new employment.
§ Mr. HughesWill the hon. Gentleman state the names of the persons and firms to whom the grants and loans were made and the amounts in each case? Does he realise that the phrase used in the Act,
high and persistent unemployment exists or is threatened",applies to Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland?
§ Mr. PriceWith respect to the hon. and learned Gentleman, I do not think he heard the first part of the Answer. I said that no offers of assistance had been made during 1962, so I could not give him details about the firms which were offered assistance.
§ Mr. JayDoes the visit of Lord Hail-sham to Glasgow last weekend mean that he has taken over the Board of Trade's job in Scotland as well as on the North-East Coast?