§ 1. Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on employment prospects for Northern Ireland in the light of recently announced industrial development.
§ The Minister of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. William van Straubenzee)Recently announced industrial development projects, coupled with the more favourable employment trends throughout the United Kingdom, permit optimism about future employment prospects in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. DouglasI thank the Minister for that reply. Although there is another Question later on the Order Paper, will 724 he comment on the present employment situation in the shipbuilding industry in Northern Ireland? Will he give an assurance that individuals in that industry are not relying unduly on a legalistic formulation of employment contractual obligations?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeAs the hon. Gentleman said, another hon. Member has tabled a Question on precisely this point. I should be very discourteous to the hon. Member concerned if I were to deal with that point in answer to this question.
§ Mr. KilfedderReverting to my hon. Friend's original answer, does not my hon. Friend realise that there is a need throughout my constituency for new industries to match the potential growth of population over the next decade, in an area estimated to be the fastest growing area in the Province? Will he ensure that North Down is not overlooked under the advance factory programme?
Secondly, will my hon. Friend place in the Library a progress report on the work of the Northern Ireland Finance Corporation—a very useful corporation—with particular reference to recent industrial development?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI naturally join with my hon. Friend in his tribute to the Northern Ireland Finance Corporation, whose work for the whole of Northern Ireland is recognised on both sides of the House.
On the first part of my hon. Friend's question, he will know that there are advance factories in his constituency and that the programme is designed to help all parts of Northern Ireland.
§ Rev. Ian PaisleyWill the Minister make a statement about the position in Antrim where, eight weeks ago, a new Supermatic factory was opened and now, after having the Governor open it and after a great blowing of trumpets, the total adult male labour force have been given their cards and the raw materials supplied to the factory have been lifted by the contractors? It seems that the whole project is about to fall through.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI would rather not comment in too great detail at this stage. I assure my hon. Friend, however, that the Ministry of Commerce is very closely in touch with the situation.