HC Deb 22 October 1986 vol 102 cc1149-50
3. Dr. Godman

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Development Agency concerning the Inverclyde Initiative; and if he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Malcolm Rifkind)

I discussed the work of the initiative with representatives of the Scottish Development Agency when I visited the offices of the initiative in Greenock in July. Accepting the difficulties the initiative faces, I am satisfied that sound progress is being made.

Dr. Godman

Has not the time arrived to increase the cash injection into the Inverclyde Initiative? If increased funds were made available to the manpower and venture training group, unemployed people, of whom there are thousands in Inverclyde, could be helped to set up businesses and, perhaps more importantly, to develop community enterprises. Recently, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry gave similar help to those shipbuilding communities which were badly hit by redundancies. Could not the same be done for Inverclyde?

Mr. Rifkind

The hon. Gentleman has overlooked the major progress that has already been made. Plans for a £20 million redevelopment of the customs house quay site in Greenock, which could lead to the creation of 700 jobs, are well advanced. In addition, the Scottish Development Agency has acquired land in Port Glasgow for the construction of a new factory. Given that there was a five-year programme for the initiative to achieve about 2,000 jobs, it is encouraging that already projects are in hand which could achieve almost half of that figure.

Mrs. McCurley

Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that congratulations are in order for Mr. Donald Draffan and his colleagues involved with the Inverclyde Initiative on the amazing amount of work that has been accomplished so far? Does he agree that a great deal more might have been achieved had it not been for the carping criticisms by the local Labour party in that area?

Mr. Rifkind

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Those involved with the initiative believe that major progress is being made. I had useful discussions with them when I met members of the Inverclyde Initiative.

They did not put to me proposals similar to those put by the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman). They believe that they are making major progress in the way that I have described.

Mr. Ron Brown

Recognising that the Edinburgh Evening News and Lothian regional council have revealed that Leith has the highest unemployment on the east coast of Scotland, would it not be appropriate to give more resources to the Scottish Development Agency to expand the Leith project, so putting people back to work and doing the things which are essential to the community? Would that not be an appropriate use of public money?

Mr. Rifkind

I am not certain which part of Inverclyde the hon. Gentleman represents. Although I appreciate that Leith has serious unemployment problems, they come nowhere near to the problems of Inverclyde. That is why the Government have set up the Inverclyde Initiative.