§ 2. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of the difficulties created by repeated redundancies in the electronics industry in Scotland and in other parts of the United Kingdom; and if he will institute an inquiry into ways and means of creating new jobs.
§ The Minister for Aerospace (Mr. Frederick Corfield)I am aware of redundancies declared by a number of companies in the electronics industry. As to the second part of the hon. Member's question, my right hon. Friend the Chan- 2 cellor of the Exchequer announced measures on 19th July which are designed to have this effect.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes not the Minister recognise that this industry was one of the hopes for the future of Scotland, and of my area of Fife in particular, and that these repeated redundancies are causing great concern? Will he look carefully at the G.E.C.-Marconi project in Glenrothes, where, I believe, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that not only is there dumping of United States-manufactured components from abroad but there are bad industrial relations contributing to the problem?
§ Mr. CorfieldI am very much aware of the importance of this industry to Scotland and to the areas which the hon. Gentleman mentions. I have looked carefully into the question of dumping. I can find no evidence of it in its legal sense, and I am reluctant to advise protection for an industry which is greatly dependent on exports and, therefore, very vulnerable to counter-action.
§ Mr. BennIs the right hon. Gentleman talking to the international companies involved to find out the motivation for some of these redundancies?
§ Mr. CorfieldI think that the motivation is fairly clear. There is an almost worldwide reduction in demand for the products of this industry. I am discussing certain aspects of it with the companies concerned.