Economic Growth Points (Hansard, 13 May 1970)

§ 45. Mr. Sillars
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many economic growth points there are in Scotland.

The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Dr. J. Dickson Mahon)
The Government's investment incentives policy and programmes of infrastructural investment are designed to benefit the country as a whole rather than a limited number of favoured growth points.

§ Mr. Sillars
Would not my hon. Friend agree that the Government's attitude is infinitely preferable to the limited growth which we should get from the limited growth point philosophy of the Conservative Party? Would he not further agree that it is essential now in the run-up to the General Election that the Conservative Party should clearly determine those parts of the country which would be in growth areas and those which would not?

§ Dr. Mabon
I agree with my hon. Friend. The best example that I can give from recent months has been the publication of the Gaskin Report, in which two so-called growth points are identified. This caused a great deal of controversy locally. Our attitude is that areas as such and zones as such should be encouraged in accordance with industry moving in.

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the General Secretary of the T.U.C., speaking in Glasgow last weekend, urged that in Scotland we should consider a return to the growth area principle which was worked so well by the previous Conservative Government?

§ Dr. Mabon
It was not worked well by the previous Conservative Government, as is exemplified in many counties in Scotland, including my own. I am not 1238 aware of what the General Secretary said. [HON. MEMBERS: " Why not? "] He is the Chairman of the Regional Committee of the Scottish Economic Planning Council, which wholeheartedly supports the present policy of the Government.