§ 23. Mr. McMasterasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what particulars of, or references to, Northern Ireland are included with particulars about development districts in England, Scotland and Wales which are sent to firms refused development certificates in the Midlands and the south-east of England.
§ Mr. D. PriceThe firm's attention is directed to the areas of high unemployment as soon as its I.D.C. application is received. Northern Ireland is given as much prominence as development districts. The Board of Trade explains the financial and fiscal inducements available there and offers the firm copies of the literature published by the Ministry of Commerce.
§ Mr. McMasterI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that the unemployment rate remains persistently very high in the North of Ireland, at 7 per cent.? Is he aware that any efforts which can be made by his Department are very welcome in Northern Ireland, particularly in view of the efforts which are being made, in competition, to attract industry to Scotland and to the North-East?
§ Mr. PriceI assure my hon. Friend that not only the headquarters of the Board of Trade but our regional controllers are in extremely close touch with the Minister of Commerce in Northern Ireland and with its offices on the mainland on the United Kingdom.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWould my hon. Friend always make certain that this information is passed on to the Government of Northern Ireland?
§ 24. Mr. McMasterasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what percentage of firms which have been refused development certificates in the Midlands and South East of England have set up manufacturing units in Scotland, and the North-East of England, respectively, in each of the past three years; and what information he has been given of the equivalent figures for firms going to Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. D. PriceInformation in the form requested by my hon. Friend is not available. In the past three years firms from the Midlands and the South-East of England have set up 33 manufacturing units in Scotland, 12 in the North-East and 13 in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. McMasterWill my hon. Friend take steps to collect this information, as it would be most useful? Has he noticed from the figures he has quoted that there has apparently been more success in sending firms to Scotland and the North-East than to Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. PriceThese figures do not give the full picture, because, as the House knows, many firms are steered to development districts before they have ever attempted to put in an application for an I.D.C. in respect of a congested area which they know they will be refused.