HC Deb 12 March 1969 vol 779 c1354
14. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the growth in employment in the Grangemouth-Falkirk Survey Area from 1964; and how this growth relates to the projections set out in the Regional Survey and Plan for the area, with particular regard to manufacturing employment.

Mr. Ross

Between mid-1964 and mid-1967 there was an estimated increase of 3,300 employees in the survey area, of whom 1,100 were in manufacturing industry. The total number of employees in the area by 1967 thus already exceeded the consultants' forecast for 1971.

Mr. Woodburn

In the development of this area, will it be kept in mind that the movement of population from one area to another is an undesirable use of transport and that, if some of the development can be spread over the area, it will allow people to work where they live?

Mr. Ross

This has to be taken in a balanced way. It might be that by concentrating industrial development at the appropriate point within an area, advantages would be created which would be lost by dispersal. It is a matter of keeping a balance.

Mr. MacArthur

Will the right hon. Gentleman give details of the decline in employment in Scotland generally and say how this decline relates to the projections set out in his White Paper published just before the last General Election?

Mr. Ross

The Question on the Order Paper relates to the Grangemouth-Falkirk Survey Area. I will be glad to answer the other Questions when we come to them.

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