§ 12. Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will hold an inquiry into the role of his Department in considering the Mostek project which eventually went to Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. David MitchellNo, Sir.
§ Mr. WilsonDoes the Minister accept that that is one of the most scandalous replies given in the House for a long time? Does not he realise that the blame for the loss of the Mostek plant to the Republic of Ireland was widely laid at the door of his Department, even under its previous ownership, on the grounds of its incompetence, undue delay and unwillingness to vary regional incentives? How does he account for the fact that the Republic of Ireland is advertising for skilled workers in the West of Scotland largely because of the failure of United Kingdom Governments to do anything about the Scottish economy?
§ Mr. MitchellThe hon. Gentleman's comment about the previous Government's behaviour in connection with the Scottish economy is not a matter for me. However, the transfer to Ireland in April of this year of the particular project with which he is concerned is not thought to be a direct result of the inadequacy or otherwise of the regional aids available from the Department of Industry.