§ 19. Miss Herbisonasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if, in view of his recent visit to the area, he has now reached a decision on the need for an additional industrial estate in Lanarkshire.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the Minister aware of the great need for an industrial estate in the area which he visited? Since he has said on a number of occasions today that the important thing is to bring industry to growth areas, he will be aware that part of the area which he covered is in the growth area of Central Scotland. I hope that when he makes the decision he will decide upon an industrial estate. May I thank him for the time that he gave to the area?
§ Mr. HeathI thank the hon. Lady for her kind remarks. Having had an opportunity of surveying the area myself fairly thoroughly and discussing it with my advisers, we are now giving it careful consideration. I will keep in touch with the hon. Lady.
§ 20. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development when building work will start on the new industrial estate for North Lanarkshire; when the first factory will be ready for occupation; and what estimate he has now made of the number of jobs to be provided within the foreseeable future.
§ Mr. HeathAs a result of revised development plans on the part of the Lanarkshire County Council affecting the area as a whole, unexpected difficulties have arisen in relation to the proposals made by the Industrial Estates Management Corporation for Scotland. The Office for Scotland and the Management Corporation are discussing these difficulties with the county council and with the Scottish Development Department, 1468 but until they are resolved development of the industrial estate cannot proceed.
§ Mr. DempseyIs the Minister aware that he has not yet told us anything about the number of jobs which will be provided? Is it not contradictory that the chairman of the industrial estate has issued a statement to all the Scottish Press as to the number of factories to be built, but the Minister tells us today that he is unable to make any statement? Will he bear in mind the fact that nearly 10,000 people are unemployed at the moment and that that situation will be seriously aggravated by the school-leavers next week? Will he "get cracking" with the building of this new estate?
§ Mr. HeathThe fact is that the Industrial Estates Management Corporation cannot "get cracking" because of the new developments of the Lanarkshire County Council. The first thing that must be done is to have that question resolved.
§ Mr. DempseyThe right hon. Gentleman should make a statement to that effect.