§ 12. Mr. Lambieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has given to the request by the Ayrshire standing conference on unemployment for a meeting to discuss ways in which the unemployment and industrial problems of Ayrshire might be tackled; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe Government very much share the concern of the standing conference on unemployment in Ayrshire and already accord the highest priority to measures to tackle the unemployment and industrial problems of the area. The greater part of Ayrshire already has special development area status, and special measures have been taken to assist the development of new industry in the Irvine travel-to-work area and in the Garnock Valley. My right hon. Friend has, however, informed the conference that while he sees little purpose in a meeting to discuss matters of which he is already well aware, if it has any further practical suggestions, he will, of course, be glad to consider them.
§ Mr. LambieThat is a disgraceful reply. How can the Secretary of State for Scotland, who represents an Ayrshire constituency, refuse to meet representatives of the Ayrshire district councils to discuss unemployment when the unemployment level there is already among the highest in Strathclyde and is 21 per cent. in my area of Cunninghame? Will the Secretary of State resign and give way to someone who is prepared to meet his own people in Ayrshire?
§ Mr. FletcherThere is no justificaton for saying that my right hon. Friend is not meeting "his own people in Ayrshire". As an Ayrshire Member he is regularly in that part of the world. My right hon. Friend helped to plan the new enterprise trust in Ayrshire. Indeed the hon. Gentleman was invited to meetings about the trust, but I believe that he was unable to attend. They were important meetings, and as a result of them a new initiative was taken.
§ Mr. Bill WalkerWill my hon. Friend confirm that his right hon. Friend and others have worked constructively with organisations such as British Aerospace to safeguard jobs in that constituency?
§ Mr. FletcherYes, Sir, and—as my right hon. Friend said earlier—with considerable success.
§ Mr. McKelveyWill the Secretary of State consider further my request to him to come to Kilmarnock and speak to employers and unemployed people——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Is Kilmarnock in Ayrshire? [HON. MEMBERS: "Yes."] I am only a poor Welshman.
§ Mr. McKelveyWill the Secretary of State, who, like me, represents a constituency in Ayrshire, consider my earnest request asking him to meet not only employers but the people who are unemployed in the area and explain the reasons for unemployment in Scotland? I do not have much faith in the Government's policies, and find myself unable to explain them.
§ Mr. FletcherI believe that the invitation was the one I replied to in the question that was tabled by the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr. Lambie).