Economic Prospects (Hansard, 10 February 1983)

§ 7. Dr. Mawhinney
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Northern Ireland economy.

§ Mr. Prior
As in the rest of the United Kingdom, the effects of recession have continued to be felt in Northern Ireland during the past year.
It is my particular concern to see that Northern Ireland can benefit from an upturn in economic activity. To this 1133 end, the new industrial development board and the local enterprise development unit are vigorously pursuing a policy of encouraging new investment and new employment opportunities, while giving all the help and advice necessary to preserve existing viable jobs. This is coupled with steps to ensure that the labour force is well trained. Prospects for new investment would be greatly enhanced by a return to more settled political conditions.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that gunmen in the Province are killing off jobs just as surely as they are killing people? Does he agree also that political intransigence in the Province will effectively discourage the private sector from seeking to move in to replace jobs that have been lost?

§ Mr. Prior
Yes, Sir. Nothing is more damaging to the Province than its reputation for violence. That is why it is vital that we do all we can to win the battle against the gunmen and restore political stability.

§ Mr. Molyneaux
Is the Secretary of State in a position to make a progress report on the negotiations with the Michelin tyre company on continued production at Mallusk and Ballymena?

§ Mr. Prior
No, Sir. I have nothing to add to what I said at the meeting I had with the hon. Gentleman and some of his honourable colleagues a little while ago. I recognise the great anxiety in Northern Ireland about this project. I recognise also the considerable contribution that the hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members have sought to make in helping with this difficult matter. The difficulty is basically one of surplus car and tyre production throughout the United Kingdom and Western Europe.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell
Does the Minister agree that if some Northern Ireland politicians, including some in the House, spent more time discussing unemployment in the Northern Ireland economy and made fewer sectarian speeches, which frighten off foreign investors, the Northern Ireland economy might be in a better state?

§ Mr. Prior
I share some of the feelings behind the hon. Gentleman's remarks. However, I do not want to add fuel to the fire. To do so would not do any good.

§ Mr. Robert Atkins
Does my right hon. Friend agree that there are some good signs in Northern Ireland, particularly at Short Brothers, which is taking on new men. Does the success of the 330, the 360 and even the Sherpa in world markets prove that a company such as Short Brothers can do well and work with high technology, which can be successful?

§ Mr. Prior
Yes, Sir. Short Brothers is the jewel in the crown at the moment. One must remember that, despite all the troubles in Northern Ireland, the quality of its labour force and the lack of industrial strife are important points in Northern Ireland's favour which are not generally recognised in the rest of the United Kingdom and beyond.

§ Mr. Soley
Has the Secretary of State given careful consideration to the report issued last week by the Northern Ireland trade unions? Will he pay particular attention to their recommendations on employment grants and on support to the indigenous industries and the house building project?

§ Mr. Prior
Of course I shall give careful consideration to this report, although I have only just received it. It 1134 involves a considerable increase in public expenditure over and above the increases that have already been allocated to Northern Ireland during the past two years and over and above the considerable extra public expenditure already available to the people of Northern Ireland compared with any other part of the United Kingdom. One must bear all those points in mind, but I welcome any help towards improving the economic position in Northern Ireland.