§ 18. Mr. MacArthurasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received following his decision to accept the reporter's findings regarding the proposed new tyre factory near Perth; and what action he has taken.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellIn addition to the representations made by my hon. Friend himself, I have had three letters, from the Lord Provost of Perth, from a former Lord Provost and from the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce expressing their disappointment but their readiness to assist the firm concerned to select another location.
The Department of Trade and Industry has been in touch with the firm and, at Michelin's request, matters are being held over until September to enable it fully to reassess its position. A meeting will then be held between representatives of the firm, the Department of Trade and Industry, my Department and the local authorities concerned.
§ Mr. MacArthurIs my right hon. Friend aware that it is critically important to Perth that this development should go there? Will he between now and September do everything in his power to encourage the company to develop its factory at the Inveralmond industrial site in Perth and call the attention of the factory and of the local authorities to the grants now available, which are very different and very much larger than those in force when the company first assessed the site?
§ Mr. CampbellI am aware of the importance of this development to Perth and we are making sure that the firm 1572 knows what is available in the way of new grants. As I think my hon. Friend knows, the firm does not propose to start the work for some time because it is concentrating first on the factories at Dundee and Aberdeen which are in train.