HC Deb 17 July 1985 vol 83 cc305-6
8. Mr. Martin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to attract new industries to Springburn in view of the British Rail Engineering Ltd., redundancy announcements.

Mr. Younger

A contract was recently placed for a privately funded 130,000 sq ft business park at Port Dundas, which is expected to accommodate 300 jobs. In addition, the SDA and BREL have jointly funded a study into alternative employment opportunities in Springburn.

Mr. Martin

When the Secretary of State last spoke to this House about Springburn, he said that a study would be before the House soon. Exactly when will we get the results of the study? He knows full well that it will take more than an industrial park at Port Dundas to resolve the problems of Springburn.

Mr. Younger

I entirely share the hon. Gentleman's concern that the study is urgently needed. I understand that the agency has received a draft report and expects the final version any time now. It will then move to assess the recommendations as quickly as possible.

Mr. Hirst

As I also have constituents in Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch who will be affected by the proposed redundancies at BREL, will my right hon. Friend make representations to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider the establishment of an enterprise zone at Springburn?

Mr. Younger

I shall consider my hon. Friend's suggestion. He may be aware that a great deal of good news has been apparent in Glasgow in recent months. Glasgow-based companies have been winning contracts or committing investment at the rate of a staggering £33 million a month. Many of the projects are designed to refurbish the city—a £5 million contract for the business park at Port Dundas, a new £2.5 million meat market, £7 million to refurbish Gartnavel hospital, a multi-channel cable system costing £15 million, new investment at Glasgow airport, a new commercial centre for Bridgeton. and a £10 million extension to a city centre hotel

Mr. Craigen

In view of the despairingly high level of unemployment in the north of the city—and particularly of a long-term nature—will the Secretary of State give us an assurance that he will take a personal interest in trying to generate more employment in the north of the city?

Will the Secretary of State agree to look again at BREL, in view of its importance to the Springburn area?

Mr. Younger

I assure the hon. Gentleman that I will be taking a very close interest. It is for BREL to decide on its operations. As the hon. Gentleman will probably know, there has been a great deal of help for Glasgow recently. In the past six years there has been over £735 million of new investment, and 33,000 new and safeguarded jobs in the Glasgow travel-to-work area.