HC Deb 09 December 1981 vol 14 cc858-9
15. Sir Hector Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take further initiatives together with the Scottish Development Agency in areas of exceptionally high unemployment.

Mr. Younger

Those areas in Scotland facing the most severe economic problems will continue to benefit to the fullest extent from regional policy measures. In addition, a number of special local initiatives have already been taken involving the Scottish Development Agency and others, and I am considering the potential for further such initiatives.

Sir Hector Monro

Is my right hon. Friend aware that unemployment in Annan is very high and that in Sanquhar it stands at 21 per cent., which is about the highest level in Scotland? Will he consider special incentives along the lines of a mini enterprise zone in areas of special difficulty?

Mr. Younger

I appreciate my hon. Friend's concern about those areas in his constituency, which I have visited with him on several occasions. There are particular problems there. The enterprise zone programme is essentially experimental. If we are to evaluate the experiments properly, it is not sensible to scatter a whole lot of new enterprise zones round the country before we have seen how the first ones work. However, we are always ready to look at the most appropriate measures for areas. No doubt my hon. Friend will get in touch with me if he has any special suggestions for his area.

Mr. Gregor MacKenzie

Is the Secretary of State aware that many people believe that the SDA should adopt a more adventurous role in its difficult task of creating new jobs in Scotland? How will the guidelines issued recently assist the SDA to do that job and be more adventurous than last year?

Mr. Younger

I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's wishes, but I am not certain what he means by "adventurous". The SDA thinks that the new guidelines are suitable and a great improvement. No viable industrial project in Scotland has been unable to go ahead because of shortage of funds to back it. I attach a great deal of importance to that, and so does the SDA.