HC Deb 17 July 1985 vol 83 c310
12. Mr. Hirst

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about current economic prospects in Scotland.

Mr. Younger

Last month the Scottish CBI reported optimism in manufacturing continuing to grow with orders and output showing strong positive trends, investment in plant and machinery showing an upturn, and employment trends strengthening.

Mr. Hirst

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his reply and I welcome the action that the Government have taken to stimulate the creation of new jobs in Scotland. Does he agree, however, that uncertainty over the future of Ravenscraig is casting a long shadow over economic and employment prospects in Scotland? While I accept that the BSC corporate plan is not yet available, will he reassure me and the House that he and his ministerial colleagues will fight like tigers for steel jobs in Scotland?

Mr. Younger

I appreciate that there is widespread concern about the future of Ravenscraig and, when the BSC has submitted its corporate plan, I can assure my hon. Friend that Ministers will have to consider it very carefully. At present, however, there are many other good developments in the Scottish economy, including a record level of investment in new projects, which I expect to continue.

Mr. Millan

Is the Secretary of State aware that, contrary to some suggestions in the press and elsewhere, there is widespread concern in Scotland at the Guinness takeover bid for the highly successful Scottish company of Arthur Bell and Sons, and that some of the statements by Guinness are not only unpersuasive but positively misleading? Will he put his weight behind the pressure for a reference of this bid to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission?

Mr. Younger

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, this is a strictly a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who will take note of what the right hon. Gentleman has said. I of course remain extremely interested in the subject, and I have personally seen representatives of both companies.