HC Deb 22 November 1979 vol 974 cc542-3
5. Mr. Dunlop

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the reasons for excluding the Cookstown area from the Department of Commerce plan for industrial expansion and new factories.

The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Giles Shaw)

Cookstown is not excluded from current plans for industrial expansion.

Mr. Dunlop

Does the Minister agree that in the advance notice of seven new factories sponsored by LEDU, Cookstown has been left out? Does he agree also that Cookstown has the highest incidence of unemployment in Northern Ireland next to the Strabane area, and that LEDU promised a factory at Cookstown but failed to implement that promise? Finally, will the Minister—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member has already asked three questions.

Mr. Dunlop rose

—

Mr. Speaker

Order. No, the hon. Member has already asked enough for anyone.

Mr. Shaw

We have plans for an industrial estate in Cookstown, and we have already developed a site of 22 acres. I remind the hon. Member that although unemployment in the area is running at 21.2 per cent., it is not significantly higher than in many other areas. I should be glad to meet the hon. Member to discuss this matter further.