HC Deb 21 June 1982 vol 26 c15
18. Mr. Proctor

asked the Minister for Trade whether he has yet reached any conclusion on the report by the Adam Smith Institute, in which it recommended the establishment of free ports; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sproat

We are in the final stages of our consideration of this report and now await the views of certain outside bodies that have expressed interest in the subject.

Mr. Proctor

Would not the creation of free ports, together with the Government's policy on enterprise zones, make a substantial impact on job creation?

Mr. Sproat

The prospects for job creation are one of the important aspects of this matter, which we shall consider when we receive the views of the various outside bodies.

Mr. McQuarrie

My hon. Friend will be aware that the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs is examining the matter. Does he agree that employment similar to that created in the free ports of Shannon, Hamburg and Brussels would be the salvation of Prestwich and of great advantage in Aberdeen, where there is a considerable drop in employment with the loss of oil-related work?

Mr. Sproat

I am always eager to foster more jobs in Aberdeen. I look forward in due course to the opportunity to appear before the Select Committee to give my views on the subject. Shanon and Hamburg are perhaps different examples from what we might want to set up.

Mr. Skinner

Will the Minister invite Sir Freddie Laker, the arch exponent of monetarism, free ports, enterprise zones and the rest, to take part in the exercise in view of his massive fall from grace only a few months ago? If an arch monetarist cannot make the system work, what is the point of extending it to other areas?

Mr. Sproat

As usual, the hon. Gentleman's question is so idiotic that it does not deserve an answer.