HC Deb 21 February 1973 vol 851 cc468-9
23. Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange to meet local authorities, affected by future closures in the steel industry, to discuss his plans for their future.

Mr. Younger

In the White Paper on steel—Cmnd. 5226—we announced the setting up of a special reconstruction team under the direction of the Scottish Economic Planning Board, which will be responsible for identifying the measures needed to deal with the effects of the steel rationalisation programme. This important work will be under the supervision of my noble Friend the Minister of State. I have no doubt that in the course of its work the team will meet and consult the local authorities affected.

Mr. Mackenzie

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. In the plans for the future of the steel industry it is said that prospective job losses in Scotland are not so highly concentrated in particular places. To those hon. Members who represent steel constituencies, this seems patently untrue. They are concentrated in particular communities. We hope that the Secretary of State will meet the local authorities and discuss with them the future of their areas.

Mr. Younger

I expect that my noble Friend will be doing very much what the hon. Gentleman has suggested. As for the impact of job losses, they are really causing great concern for certain areas. But if the hon. Gentleman likes to compare them with those in other parts of the United Kingdom, especially Wales, I think he will agree that it is fair to say that they are not so highly concentrated in Scotland as they are in some other areas.