§ Mr. Michael Forsyth (Stirling)I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 10, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
the proposed closure by Pilkington Insulation Ltd. of the Cape works in Stirling, with the resultant loss of 257 jobs.The factory was acquired by Pilkington only last year and considerable improvements in performance and cost reduction have been achieved by the work force. As Pilkington is the major industrial employer, located in the heart of the town, the proposed closure represent, a devastating blow and a cruel rebuke to the employees and their trade union representatives who have done everything possible to avoid it.A debate would give the House the opportunity to raise the wider question of the responsibilities of large private employers to their work forces and the communities in which they operate. Although the chief executive of Pilkington has stated that the company will commit resources to job creation in Stirling, no indication of the sums involved has been given. They will have to be substantial. A debate would give the Minister the opportunity to reassure the House and my constituents that his Department and the Scottish Development Agency will contact the company with a view to ensuring that every help and assistance are given in relocating and retraining employees and in getting on with a job creation and development programme on that site. The factory occupies an important location in the town. If Pilkington decides to give the site to an enterprise trust, as I hope it will. it would be helpful to know the Minister's view on how his Department could assist.
I make no apology for raising this matter this afternoon. It is vital to my constituency. A debate on the wider implications would help to focus the attentions of the private and public sectors alike on their responsibilities in managing the effects of change.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matte' that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely,
the proposed closure by Pilkington Insulation Ltd. of the Cape works in Stirling, with the resultant loss of 257 jobs.Again, I must say that I have listened carefully to what the hon. Member has said. I realise the impact that the closure is likely to have on his constituency. However, I have to say that I do not consider that the matter he has raised is appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10, and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.