§ 14. Mr. Benceasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what progress has been made in bringing into use the industrial site in Clydebank leased to Ingersoll-Rand Limited.
§ Mr. du CannI have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 6th February.
§ Mr. BenceThis situation is serious, and perhaps I might refer the hon. Gentleman to the supplementary questions which I have been asking since 1951. Will he do something about releasing this industrial site in Clydebank, because the Borough of Clydebank could get firms to go there if the land were free? We cannot tolerate the situation of a piece of land which has been frozen in the hands of an American company for five years. This is a blot on the industrial development of the 1464 area. Will the hon. Gentleman do something about this and get the land back from Ingersoll-Rand Ltd. so that it can be used by the Borough of Clydebank?
§ Mr. du CannI understand the hon. Gentleman's long and continuing concern in the matter. Perhaps I should say that, if he has any specific proposals for firms who want to come to this area, we are ready to entertain them. The hon. Gentleman referred to earlier supplementary questions on the subject. My right hon. Friend invited him to let him have any information that he wished him to consider. That invitation is still open.
§ Mr. BenceOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Answers that I have been getting for years on this matter, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.
§ Mr. SpeakerI will treat that as relating to the last Answer only, otherwise it is irregular.