§ 14. Mr. Benceasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, what steps he is taking to promote industrial development in the area of Kilsyth, Croy and Tweclar, in view of the decline in coal mining.
§ 20. Mr. W. Baxterasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what action he proposes to take to bring industry to the Kilsyth and Lennoxtown parts of West Stirlingshire.
§ Mr. HeathThese areas lie in the Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch development districts. All the benefits of the Local Employment Acts, and free depreciation, are available to new developments there.
§ Mr. BenceI had a reply very similar to that 12 years ago, in 1952—and nothing has happened. Is the Minister aware that the miners are going and the villages are becoming depopulated? Let us have some action before this Government go out of office.
§ Mr. HeathThe hon. Gentleman's memory must be at fault. These benefits were not in existence 10 years ago.
§ Mr. HeathIt could not have been a similar answer, because this became a development district in July, 1962, and, at any rate since then has had the advantage of these inducements. We do everything possible to persuade industry to go there.
§ Mr. BaxterIs the Minister aware that his Answer will give not satisfaction to the people concerned? Is he aware that even over the last five years in the western part of my constituency 13 businesses have gone out of operation and no industry has come to the area? Will the Minister take up this matter 1318 seriously and see whether he can encourage some industry to come to these smaller towns of West Stirlingshire? Is he aware that these are becoming dormitory areas and depopulated areas, which is lliading to discontent and despair?
§ Mr. JayDoes the Minister realise that this was a development area 10 years ago, that it was descheduled by the Government and then rescheduled?