§ 25. Mr. McMasterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans exist to promote an increase during the current financial year in the Government's spending on public investment in development areas in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in an effort to stimulate employment in these districts.
§ Mr. MacDermotI would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Down, South (Captain Orr).
§ Mr. McMasterIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the severe deflationary effect of three Budgets coupled with high interest rates which have forced many firms in Northern Ireland into bankruptcy, including one old foundry which employed several hundred men in my own constituency? Does he realise that positive steps must be taken urgently—not just the negative ones mentioned yesterday—to assist Northern Ireland and other marginal areas to offset the effects of these severe measures?
§ Mr. MacDermotDetailed questions relating to investment in Northern Ireland should be addressed to the Northern Ireland Government, but, as the hon. Member is aware, there are very considerable measures which we have introduced, and continued from the previous Government, which do assist investment in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorHas the hon. and learned Gentleman heard that his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has cut Glasgow's education capital projects next year from £15 million to £4 million, and is he further aware that essential community centre work has now been stopped completely? How does this square with the statement that development areas would be excluded from these cuts?
§ Mr. MacDermotI am afraid that I cannot answer that question without notice. It is a quite separate question.
§ Mr. McMasterIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, I shall raise the matter again.