Job Creation (Ayrshire) (Hansard, 18 January 1984)

§ 1. Mr. McKelvey
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any new initiatives to announce to improve the employment situation in Ayrshire.

§ The Under-Secretary for Scotland (Mr. Allan Stewart)
The Government have introduced many new initiatives to improve the employment situation in Ayrshire and new developments recently announced are proving their success.

§ Mr. McKelvey
You, Mr. Speaker, will be as disappointed as am I by that reply. My question referred to new initiatives. Is the Under-Secretary aware that I am disappointed that he is unable to institute new initiatives? I had in mind freeport status for Prestwick. If the Minister will give the House the assurance that he will continue to press for such status, the people of Ayrshire will continue to live in hope.

§ Mr. Stewart
As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Government are considering applications for freeport status. I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman would welcome recent developments in Ayrshire, such as the announcement by SCI Systems Incorporated, with the potential for providing 500 new jobs during the next four years at Irvine. I should have thought that all hon. Members would give a warm welcome to the achievement of British Aerospace at Prestwick in winning a £20 million order from America for 12 Jetstream 31 aircraft, against tough competition from major American companies.

§ Sir Hector Monro
Will my hon. Friend underline yet again the great success of British Aerospace at Prestwick in introducing the successful Jetstream aircraft, which was conceived and is being built in Scotland? The Opposition should congratulate those concerned, including my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who has been greatly involved with the company.

§ Mr. Stewart
I agree entirely with my hon. Friend. Jetstream is a marvellous Scottish aircraft and a fine achievement. I am sure that this week's announcement will be followed by further orders.

§ Mr. Lambie
Is the Minister aware that he would give immediate enjoyment to the people of Ayrshire if he would put more pressure on his hon. Friend the Minister of State, 300 Department of Energy to issue drilling licences for the exploration of oil and gas resources in the Clyde? Does he accept that if he did that Ayrshire would have a new initiative, because it could get the oil and gas out of the Clyde and so provide jobs for the people of Ayrshire?

§ Mr. Stewart
The Government have made it clear that oil development in the area, if properly controlled, would be welcomed, but as yet there is no evidence that oil exists in that area.

§ Mr. Lambie
Nonsense.

§ Mr. Stewart
It is wrong to risk raising false hopes. If the hon. Gentleman does not believe me, I suggest that he reads what Mr. Ian Clark has said on the subject.

§ Mr. Malone
Does my hon. Friend concede that in considering the argument for freeports in Scotland one of the main factors should be the qualifications of the applicants, bearing in mind the guidelines laid down by the Treasury? Does he agree that the ideal qualificant is the city of Aberdeen?

§ Mr. Stewart
I have said that the Government are considering the various applications for freeport status, and the House knows that my hon. Friend is a stalwart proponent of the city of Aberdeen.

§ Mr. Foulkes
As the current movement for freeport status started in Ayrshire, and as most of the development will come from North America, would it not be a travesty if Prestwick were not designated as one of the freeports in Scotland?

§ Mr. Stewart
The freeport applications are still being examined. We hope that selected sites will be announced shortly.

§ Mr. Bill Walker
Does my hon. Friend agree that Prestwick is an important national airport and that it is vital that it should continue to be so as long as a need for jobs exists in that part of Ayrshire? Will my hon. Friend ensure that all of his hon. Friends are aware of its importance?

Mr. MacKay
I agree with my hon. Friend. I readily endorse the substantial efforts which the British Airports Authority is making to develop traffic through that airport. My hon. Friend will be aware that 1983 traffic levels at Prestwick were better than they were in 1982, and in 1984 they are likely to be even better.