HC Deb 02 March 1983 vol 38 cc234-5
9. Mr. Corrie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many jobs are estimated to be in the pipeline for Ayrshire over the next 12 months.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

There is no obligation for all employers to report new jobs created on a monthly basis. However, some 2,893 jobs in Ayrshire were associated with offers of selective financial assistance made since the end of 1981, and in addition to the recent Hyster announcement companies such as Volvo Trucks, Caberboard, Roth International and Prestwick Circuits have all announced expansion plans.

Mr. Corrie

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he satisfied that sufficient small units are being built in north Ayrshire—and, indeed, in the whole of Ayrshire—to accommodate those wishing to participate in the enterprise scheme? Is he aware that there have been more than 100 applications to go into the Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston enterprise trust scheme, and that, even if the small units have only two or three men per unit, it will create hundreds of jobs in that area?

Mr. Fletcher

I am happy to say that about 450 new jobs have been announced in the ASSET scheme. These will occur during the next two years, and there are further prospects in the pipeline. My hon. Friend will know that the SDA is active in the area, but if he is aware of any shortfall in the number of small factory units I will be grateful if he will bring them to my attention.

Mr. Foulkes

Will not the Minister confess that many, many more jobs have gone down the drain than are in the pipeline in Ayrshire? The Government hailed British Aerospace as one of the growth industries, but is the Minister aware that it recently paid off almost 100 men? What representations has the Scottish Office made to the Ministry of Defence to ensure that it orders some Jetstream 31 aircraft immediately, to replace its aging communications aircraft?

Mr. Fletcher

British Aerospace currently has under way a first-class marketing campaign for Jetstream. I assure the hon. Gentleman that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is constantly in touch with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

Mr. Lambie

The Minister has mentioned 1,000 jobs being promised by Hyster during the next five years. Can he give a categoric assurance that money allocated to Hyster by the Government will not be paid until the jobs are brought to the area? Is he aware that many people in Irvine believe that Hyster's will take the money and leave the area?

Mr. Fletcher

I welcome the hon. Gentleman's contribution to my discussions with the Hyster company. I assure him that no money will be paid out for jobs that do not materialise. The offer of Government assistance is directly related to the provision of new jobs.

Mr. Dewar

Does the Minister accept that job prospects in the constituency of his hon. Friend the Member for Bute and North Ayrshire (Mr. Corrie) depend, to some extent, on the tourist industry? Has he considered the problems of carrying calor gas cylinders to Arran? Is he aware that Department of Trade regulations prohibit closed deck vessels from that trade, with the result that special vessels must be used at additional cost, which could threaten jobs in the tourist industry? It is a small, but important, point. Will the Scottish Office intervene to try to find a solution to that tricky problem?

Mr. Fletcher

I have seen reports on that matter. I promise the hon. Gentleman that I will investigate it and ensure that he is contacted.