HC Deb 08 March 1971 vol 813 cc1-3
1. Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the effects of the Rolls-Royce collapse on the employment situation in the area, he will now give full development area status to North-East Lancashire; and if he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and President of the Board of Trade (Mr. John Davies)

It is too early to assess the full impact of the Rolls-Royce situation on employment in North-East Lancashire, but we are keeping a close watch on developments.

Mr. Davidson

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that answer. Nonetheless, will the Minister bear in mind that there is great concern in North-East Lancashire about the heavy redundancies which have resulted from the Rolls-Royce collapse? As North-East Lancashire has suffered over the years from a drift of younger people away from the area, will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether some greater inducement can be given to industry to come into North-East Lancashire and riot to go elsewhere?

Mr. Davies

I am certainly pleased to keep this point very much in mind. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that recently I received a delegation from the area which made a full range of points to me which I am keeping very much in mind.

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider the full implementation of the Hunt Report and thus remove from North-East Lancashire the patchwork quilt effect of the various gradations of development status?

Mr. Davies

While I appreciate my hon. and learned Friend's point on this matter, he will know that I am anxious not to be continually varying the weighting of regional incentives and like matters, because it upsets the planning of industry. However, I shall keep in mind my hon. and learned Friend's point.

Mr. Benn

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what estimate he has received from the Receiver of the number of redundancies which there would be in Rolls-Royce, first with the RB211 continuing and, secondly, without it?

Mr. Davies

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will be prepared to wait and to address that question to my right hon. Friend who will be making a statement later in the day and will be more up to date than I am.

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