§ 20. Mr. Dempseyasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will exercise his powers under the Local Employment Act to clear the slag heap at Greenhill Industrial Estate, Coatbridge, for the purpose of further industrial development.
§ Mr. JayThere is land in or near Coatbridge available for substantial industrial development. There is no necessity for me to acquire this particular site.
§ Mr. DempseyIs my right hon. Friend aware that the area has more than twice the national average of unemployment and that, in addition, it is expected that in the next few years several hundred men will be out of work because of closure of obsolescent industries? Will he therefore go ahead and develop the site?
§ Mr. JayFrom the point of view of employment it is not additional sites that are needed but more firms to occupy existing sites. The local authority has power to clear sites for other reasons.