§ 29. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will state his plans for the further development of the trade, industry and commerce and employment resulting from and following the recent visit to northeast Scotland of the First Secretary of State.
§ Mr. ShoreThe Government already have a wide-ranging plan to improve economic conditions in Scotland and the recent performance of the economy there shows that it is beginning to work.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not my hon. Friend realise that the present plans are quite inadequate and that they are not stopping the drift South of trade, industry and employment? Will he devise new plans to solve the problem of improving the economic situation of North-East Scotland?
§ Mr. ShoreI believe that the measures that have been taken to assist Scotland, as well as other development areas, will have the effects which we all want, will particularly lead to a reduction of unemployment and will lead to the growth of the economy in Scotland. I have noticed, as my hon. and learned Friend no doubt has, that the relative position in Scotland has, on the whole, been rather better than in other development areas. That is certainly the case at this stage.
§ Mr. G. CampbellDoes the hon. Gentleman recognise that the most effective and thoughtful part in any such plans for the North of Scotland would be the suspension during this winter of the Selective Employment Tax?
§ Mr. ShoreThat may be the view of the hon. Gentleman, but I am sure that he has no evidence with which to support it.
§ Dame Irene WardOn a point of order.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I hope that the hon. Lady will wait until the end of Question Time to put her point of order.
§ Dame Irene WardYes, Mr. Speaker.