HC Deb 25 July 1972 vol 841 c1531
Q5. Mr. Douglas

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Tillicoultry.

The Prime Minister

I have at present no plans to do so.

Mr. Douglas

That is a pity, because if the Prime Minister went to Tillicoultry this Friday he would be able to meet some of my constituents who are being paid off and being made redundant through no fault of their own. Will he note that I have asked for a report on the activities of a company which has received substantial sums of public money to be sent to him? May I have an assurance that, as soon as the right hon. Gentleman has studied that report—which in my view shows clearly that these circumstances were preventable—he will have the activities of that company comprehensively investigated?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentle man has not mentioned the name of any company—

Mr. Douglas

Wiggins Teape.

The Prime Minister

If he is addressing himself to the circumstances of that particular case, I am aware of them. I shall consider further the question of an official inquiry—but I understand that in any case the firm has agreed to an independent inquiry and the necessary personnel have been appointed. I am quite prepared to discuss the matter with the hon. Gentleman in detail, or perhaps my right hon. Friend will do so.