§ 32. Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Technology at what stage his Department became involved in the siting of new technological industry in the county of Midlothian.
§ Dr. BrayThe Department encourages the establishment of technologically advanced industry in the development areas, including Scotland, at any stage when it can help in the furtherance of the Government's development area policy.
§ Mr. EadieDo I understand from that reply that the rôle which my hon. Friend's Department has played in studying new technological industry in Midlothian has been one of continuous assistance rather than of hindrance?
§ Dr. BrayThe Government, and the Ministry of Technology in particular, have very good reason to be proud of their record in Scotland, in that the number of new jobs created in electronics since 1964 has been some 14,000. Midlothian is particularly well situated and can, I think, look forward with confidence to the future.
§ Mrs. EwingCan the Minister say whether this departmental involvement in the study of industry in Midlothian of any other county comes before or after the Board of Trade, the Department of Economic Affairs, the Scottish Economic Planning Board, the Scottish Planning Council and the local authorities? Is he at the end or at the beginning of the queue?
§ Dr. BrayThe concerns of different Departments come into play at different stages. Because of our close knowledge of the future plans of firms we are sometimes in at the beginning; in other cases we are concerned only at a very much later stage.