HC Deb 18 July 1973 vol 860 cc468-70
9. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to seek to ensure that the proposed European Trade Mark Centre is located in Scotland.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

The hon. Gentleman will have seen from the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet) on 12th July that the Government have decided to propose that the European Trade Mark Office should be sited in London.—[Vol. 859, c. 432.]

Mr. Dalyell

What fight have Scottish Office Ministers shown, both in our own Cabinet and in the corridors of power in Brussels, to get something that, in terms of both employment and effect on industry, is probably more important than the European Patent Office, which has been committed to Munich?

Mr. Campbell

The siting of the European Trade Mark Centre will be a European decision. It has become clear that if it is to come to Britain at all London is the only starter. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] In competing with other countries it is clear that in this instance it is London or nothing.

The hon. Gentleman referred to a fight. I should point out that during our time we have succeeded in getting the headquarters of the Forestry Commission moved to Edinburgh. That will produce twice as many jobs as the trade mark centre. Right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite were content to leave the Forestry Commission headquarters at Basingstoke.

Mr. Edward Taylor

Is there any prospect of any of the major agencies of the Common Market coming to Scotland to provide jobs? Would it not be extremely unfortunate if the coming of the trade mark centre to Britain simply added to the congestion that already exists in London? Would it not be more satisfactory to have some of these jobs going to Scotland? If some of these bodies come to Scotland, will my right hon. Friend make sure that we do not have site prices forced up by land speculation in Dundee and elsewhere?

Mr. Campbell

I shall certainly ensure that in every case of a European office or centre coming to the United Kingdom the suitability of Scotland and its chances of getting the site will be examined and pressed. It is clear that this centre, which will provide only a small number of jobs, would not come to Britain at all unless it were to London. But by transferring suitable headquarters, such as the Forestry Commission and the White Fish Authority, we can get many suitable jobs for Scotland. I believe that is the way to do it.

Mr. David Steel

Does the Secretary of State recognise that when European centres are being considered the fact that London is the only starter, as he put it, is a reflection on the lack of adequate communications with Scotland? Will he consider that matter in relation to the need for a central Scottish airport? What fight is he putting up against the development at Maplin, which will merely accelerate the myth of London as the only centre?

Mr. Campbell

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman has unintentionally misrepresented what I said. It is simply that in this case London is the only starter——[Hon. Members: "Why?"]— for a number of reasons. Communications with Scotland are not the main reason. As the hon. Gentleman knows, communications with Scotland are good. Therefore, Scotland is suitable for the setting up and establishment of offices and centres. There are other reasons in different cases which make it essential that a European centre should be in London or not in Britain at all.

Sir F. Maclean

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Isle of Bute would be an ideal site for the European Trade Mark Centre?

Mr. Campbell

I am very much aware of that, because this is the second time within three days that my hon. Friend has pointed it out to me.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the reasons for excluding Scotland as a location for this office?

Mr. Campbell

It is not a question of excluding Scotland. I could not give all the reasons in reply to a supplementary question, but I shall write to the hon. Gentleman giving him the information.

Mr. Dalyell

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the Secretary of State's position in the Cabinet and the feckless nature of his reply, I beg to ask leave—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must state his notice in the usual form if it is to have any effect.