§ 23. Mr. Dalyellasked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to promote development of male-employing factories in central Scotland.
§ Mr. JayI am prepared to use to the full my powers under the Local Employment Acts to assist the development of male-employing projects in central Scotland. The report published yesterday of my Department's actions under that legislation shows that in the year to 31st March, 1966, assistance totalling £14,120,000 was offered in Glasgow and the central belt of Scotland. Much of the benefit of this has yet to mature.
§ Mr. DalyellIn view of Mr. George Harriman's statement to the effect that it is unlikely that the redundant men will be taken on again at B.M.C. during the next 12 months, can something more be done?
§ Mr. JayAs I am sure my hon. Friend knows, the redundancies at the B.M.C. factory at Bathgate are, happily, comparatively small and many other industrial expansions are going on, including advanced factories, in central Scotland.