HC Deb 10 July 1963 vol 680 c1228
18. Mr. Bence

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further consideration he has given to the request of the Clydebank Town Council for grant for the extension of the Burncrook Filters.

Mr. Noble

In the absence of any evidence that this scheme has some material effect on the provision of new jobs, I cannot depart from my reply to the Clydebank and District Water Trust that grant cannot be given on the scheme under the Local Employment Act.

Mr. Bence

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the President of the Board of Trade has given an assurance that, if Clydebank Town Council can get a customer for the industrial site there, it will reacquire it from Ingersoll Rand but that the council cannot get a candidate for the site unless it has more water? If it can lay on more water, it will have a better chance of getting that factory and more employment in the area. Will he consider it from that point of view?

Mr. Noble

We will certainly consider it from that point of view, but, as the hon. Member knows, under the provisions of the Local Employment Act I am unable to give grant for a water scheme unless there is evidence of new jobs being or to be created. As soon as evidence is available I can consider the problem.