HC Deb 09 March 1971 vol 813 cc239-40
Q2. Mr. Sillars

asked the Prime Minister how many official visits he has arranged to make to Scotland before the Summer Recess.

The Prime Minister

The only official visit so far arranged is that which I am making to West Central Scotland and to Edinburgh on 26th and 27th March.

Mr. Sillars

When the right hon. Gentleman does visit Scotland, will he make a special effort to meet the people made redundant by Rolls-Royce? Does he appreciate that many people there feel very bitter and resentful at the treatment they have had? Does he understand that the workers in Rolls-Royce who have been made redundant are keen to know what hidden guilt prompts the Government to refuse to have a Select Committee to inquire into the whole affair?

The Prime Minister

When I am in Glasgow I shall be meeting those con- cerned with the Scottish economy, and I shall have an opportunity of full discussion with them. The redundancies at Rolls-Royce are not the responsibility of the Government. As the Receiver himself said, they are the responsibility of the Receiver and so far have no connection with the RB211 engine. I understand the strong feeling about this matter but, as my right hon. Friend said yesterday, the company itself had had these redundancies in mind for many months.