HC Deb 14 January 1971 vol 809 cc261-2
Q11. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Glenrothes in Fife.

Mr. Maudling

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

Mr. Hamilton

That is a great pity. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable disquiet in this new town about the increasing unemployment, particularly in the electronics industry, and that there is much concern about Government proposals to cut housing subsidies, which will mean a consequent considerable increase in house rents? If the right hon. Gentleman cannot assure us that the Prime Minister will pay a visit to this town at an early date, may I ask him to give an assurance that he will consider these problems with the Secretary of State and so allay the anxiety that undoubtedly exists in this area?

Mr. Maudling

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is well aware of the concern that is felt about redundancies and it is obviously important to bring assistance to this area of Scotland. However, the hon. Gentleman should not be too gloomy in what he says because I am informed that the group of employment exchange areas in which Glenrothes lies shows not an increase in unemployment since July but a fractional decrease.

Mr. Douglas

Will the right hon. Gentleman take note of an Answer given yesterday by the Secretary of State for Scotland in which he boasted of going to Glenrothes to open a new factory? That new factory was a product of the Labour Government's policy. When will the Prime Minister or the Secretary of State for Scotland go to Glenrothes or to any other new town in Scotland to open a new factory initiated by their policy?

Mr. Maudling

My right hon. Friend is obviously delighted to open a factory, under whichever Government it was started. It takes more than a few months to build a factory.