ABERDEEN (Hansard, 18 May 1978)

§ Q3. Mr. Fairgrieve
asked the Prime Minister when next he intends to visit the Aberdeen area.

§ The Prime Minister
I have at present no plans to visit the Aberdeen area.

§ Mr. Fairgrieve
I regret that the Prime Minister has no immediate plans to visit the oil capital of Europe which makes an inestimable contribution to our balance of payments. But, when he does visit the area, will he ensure that his staff route him by rail, air or sea from the central industrial belt of Scotland to Aberdeen so that he does not have to travel on the most congested and important single carriageway road remaining in the United Kingdom?

§ The Prime Minister
I am not sure that I fully understand the import of that question. But I do not intend to walk; I can promise the hon. Member that. If he is saying that there is need for a substantial improvement in the road communications, that may well be so. With respect, I wish that Opposition Members, including the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, West (Mr. Fairgrieve), would not constantly press for additional public expenditure, on the one hand, and seek to reduce taxation on the other.

§ Mr. David Steel
When the Prime Minister next goes to the Aberdeen area, will he try to find out what has happened to the declaration of Perth?

§ The Prime Minister
I fear that the Conservative Party is losing itself in the Scottish mist over devolution. I think that they will suffer retribution for it.

§ Mr. Ron Thomas
When my right hon. Friend visits the fair city of Aberdeen, will he make it clear to the people of Aberdeen that Members of the Scottish National Party went into the Lobby with Members of the Tory Party in order to give massive handouts to the wealthy people in our community at the expense of the sick and elderly and the mass of working people?

§ The Prime Minister
Yes. I have already noticed in my postbag and other 773 communications that it has not gone unnoticed in Scotland and elsewhere that the Scottish National Party voted with the Conservatives on that issue.

§ Mr. Henderson
Is the Prime Minister aware that what has not gone unnoticed in Scotland, particularly in the North-East where the oil and gas is coming ashore, is that the local community is having to pay for the roads and services without adequate help from central Government? Will he reconsider this position and reprimand the Secretary of State for Scotland for failing to take action?

§ The Prime Minister
The hon. Member is not correct. A substantial sum of public expenditure has rightly been made available to Scotland for a great many functions, including the saving of jobs. That is well appreciated by the Scottish people.

§ Mr. Flannery
When my right hon. Friend goes to Aberdeen, by whatever means other than Shanks' pony, will he ruminate on the fact that not only the people of Aberdeen and Scotland but the people of England, Northern Ireland and Wales will all suffer as a result of what happened this week when the Opposition tried to take £1,100 million from the ordinary people to give to their wealthy friends? Will he underline the message that if the Opposition had their way they would have a disastrous effect on the economy?

§ The Prime Minister
There is a growing understanding in the country that there must be a balance between public expenditure and taxation. People understand that a great deal of public expenditure has helped to save jobs in industries which, although they are efficient, are suffering a temporary recession because of the world recession. I believe that the country understands that and that that is why there is growing support for our Government.

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
Is the Prime Minister aware that, in addition to the real advantages brought to the North-East of Scotland by oil, there have been problems for indigenous industries which have emphasised the need to broaden the industrial base of the area in order to prepare for when the oil comes to an end? In those circumstances, was it 774 defensible to reduce the industrial development status of the area?

§ The Prime Minister
The Aberdeen area unemployment rate has been well below the national average for some time, and it therefore seemed appropriate that the status should be altered. However, I agree with the hon. Gentleman's analysis that we should use oil revenues not to reduce taxation, as his party wishes to do, but to provide the alternative sources of energy that will be required, and to regenerate Scottish and British industry. The Scottish Development Agency is engaged on that task now.