§ 1. Mr. Alexander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the scope of work undertaken by the Scottish Economic Planning Department.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. William Ross)The Scottish Economic Planning Department advises me on matters relating to industrial and economic development in Scotland, including the Scottish aspects of regional policies and the development of North Sea oil resources.
§ Mr. FletcherI thank the Secretary of State for that reply. Is he aware that in a letter dated 5th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Taylor), the Chairman of the Scottish National Party said that it was the policy of that party that the land of Scotland should be held only by Scottish citizens or by companies registered in Scotland with majority control by people of Scottish citizenship? Will he ask the SEPD to investigate what effect this would have on the Scottish economy if it ever happened, and what would happen to companies like IBM, Timex, NCR and 1332 Burroughs and Honeywell, which contribute tremendously to the Scottish economy?
§ Mr. RossI have not seen that letter, of course, but it must have considerable implications for the Scottish economy, especially in relation to oil developments. Many of the companies creating growth are not Scottish-based or made up of majority holdings by Scottish citizens. This shows the introverted nonsense of the Nationalists, which leads them into this kind of irresponsibility. I do not know how Sir Hugh Fraser can live with this when he was prepared to sell all his Scottish interests to Boots of England.
§ Mr. MacArthurWill the right hon. Gentleman address himself to this question even further? What proportion of Scottish employment is provided by companies which do not meet the narrow racialist requirements land down in this latest statement by the Scottish National Party? How would this proposal affect the House of Fraser and what would happen to the many American companies which provide so much employment in Scotland? Will he consult his colleagues in order to present to Scotland the effect of this monstrous and narrow notice to quit which has been given to so much of Scottish industry by the Scottish National Party?
§ Mr. RossNow that this policy has been proclaimed, there is certainly fertile ground for research for us all. When the question is widened to the growth, and the change in the pattern, of the Scottish economy because it has attracted firms from outside Scotland and outside the United Kingdom—into Lanarkshire and Fife, for example, and other areas of heavy unemployment, where we appreciate what they have done—one sees how out of touch with reality the SNP has become.