HC Deb 03 March 1976 vol 906 cc1299-300
13. Mr. Rifkind

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the achievements to date of the Scottish Development Agency with regard to the improvement of employment prospects and economic development within Scotland.

14. Mr. Crawford

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress the Scottish Development Agency is making towards reducing unemployment in Scotland.

Mr. Millan

Though the Agency has been established for only 11 weeks, it has lost no time in tackling the formidable tasks which face it. It has announced its first programme of 18 advance factories, and is already undertaking five environmental improvement schemes which are both providing work now and making Scotland a more attractive place to invest in for the future. It is assembling the manpower and other resources it will need, and is devising its strategies to improve employment prospects and stimulate economic development.

Mr. Rifkind

Is the Minister aware that the Government's recent White Paper on Public Expenditure refers to the spending of £200 million on the Scottish Development Agency over the next five years, but that there is no reference to the further £100 million which the Government said would be forthcoming? Will this money be made available, and, if so, where will it come from, in view of what was said in the White Paper?

Mr. Millan

The White Paper implements our promises and pledges that at least £200 million will be made available over the next five years. I know that that is a great disappointment to the hon. Gentleman, since his party tried to castrate the Scottish Development Agency when it was set up. If the money is spent successfully, no doubt the Agency will come back and ask for more.

Mr. Crawford

Will the Minister come clean and admit that his dreams of a vibrant Scottish Development Agency have turned to dust and that in the Cabinet the basso profundo has become basso castrato? Does he agree that we need £300 million a year for the SDA?

Mr. Millan

I do not agree. I understand that the SDA is content with the budget. We shall wait and see the results.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

Does the Minister agree that it would be more helpful if he accepted that any contribution the SDA can make will be in environmental matters? Does he agree that hopes that one organisation with such a small sum can regenerate the economy are false, particularly when the regeneration of the Scottish economy depends upon the success of the British economy?

Mr. Millan

Not everything can be done by the SDA, but I do not accept what the hon. Gentleman says.