HC Deb 06 February 1964 vol 688 cc1327-8
29. Dr. Bray

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what further industries employing large numbers of people he expects the Shell refinery to attract to Tees-side that have not been attracted there by the petrochemical and plastics complex at Wilton.

Mr. Heath

Shell's decision to build a refinery on Tees-side is welcome evidence of their confidence in the region's future. I am sure that it will encourage other companies to follow their example, but beyond this I am not prepared to speculate.

Dr. Bray

Is the Secretary of State aware that the products of this refinery have already been available in the area from I.C.I. plants? While this has encouraged some development, there is no reason to believe that development will be more rapid with Shell there also. Is he aware that this is an extremely costly development under the free depreciation provisions and he ought to review the machinery of the Local Employment Act?

Mr. Heath

I do not understand. Why is the hon. Gentleman crabbing this tremendous enterprise? Surely it shows that one of the greatest firms in this country has confidence in Tees-side and the North-East, and it ought to be encouraged and not criticised.

Mr. Bourne-Arton

Will my right hon. Friend note that, unlike the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, West (Dr. Bray), most people on Tees-side welcome this project with enthusiasm? Does not my right hon. Friend agree that an attempt to measure the long-term effect of a project of this kind in terms of jobs immediately created on the site is totally to misconceive the whole nature of the problem?

Mr. Heath

I agree very fully with my hon. Friend. It will provide 1,000 jobs for the construction of the refinery first, before going on to the regular staff.

Dr. Bray

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the confidence of both Shell and I.C.I. in the future of Tees-side is so great that they had plans to put these projects there in any case before these provisions were put in?

Mr. Heath

I have no information to that effect. The main thing is that they should go there and not be criticised for doing it.