HC Deb 13 January 1971 vol 809 cc47-8
19. Mr. Maclennan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals the Highlands and Islands Development Board have made to him involving changes of policy towards the development of manufacturing industry; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Younger

The Board has not proposed any fundamental changes of policy towards manufacturing industry in the Highlands. However, it has proposed that it should build advance factories and my right hon. Friend has now authorised it to undertake a limited programme of this kind.

Mr. Maclennan

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. Has his right hon. Friend authorised the building of the full programme which was recommended of some 16 advance factories in the Highlands? Could he say whether the lack of change in fundamental approach means that the present Board and Government endorse the broad strategy of concentrating on large-scale industrial developments in the three areas of Lochaber, the Moray Firth and Wick and Thurso?

Mr. Younger

In regard to the first part of the question, we are now urgently discussing with the Board the choice of locations for the first advance factories in the programme and also the number that it will be appropriate to authorise in the first place. On the second part of the question, the new Board and the present Government endorse the work of the previous Board, and although I have not yet had an opportunity of meeting the new Board, when I do so I hope to discuss with them the matters mentioned by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Gray

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that his statement will bring great pleasure to the Highlands of Scotland. Has he or the Board received any inquiries in connection with advance factories of this type?

Mr. Younger

The Board has found from time to time that in its opinion it would be valuable if it had power to build advance factories, and although it has not had any inquiries with specific references to the announcement which I have just made, it no doubt will bear them in mind in the future.