HC Deb 11 March 1987 vol 112 cc276-7
2. Mr. Martin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to bring more employment to Springburn.

Mr. Lang

The full range of the Government's employment, enterprise and training measures, which have recently been extended, are already available in Springburn. In addition, good progress is being made with discussions on a local economic intiative, involving the Scottish Development Agency, based principally on measures intended to create new employment in the area.

Mr. Martin

By the end of the month, the work force in the main industry—railway workshops—will be reduced to 300. That contrasts with the community of 10,000 people who used to work in that industry. Last year, the Minister promised an initiative for Springburn, but not one job has come to my community. In Springburn and the surrounding areas, there are young people who have never had decent jobs. If the Minister will not deliver jobs, he should resign.

Mr. Lang

We are anxious to get the initiative off the ground and have been trying to do so. Broad agreement has now been reached on the component parts of the initiative, but as the hon. Gentleman knows it involves not only the Scottish Development Agency and British Rail Engineering Ltd, but the local authorities, the Manpower Services Commission and the Glasgow Opportunities Enterprise Trust. It has been difficult to get the scheme off the ground, but I hope that progress can now be made.

Mr. Henderson

In view of the long and historic association between Springburn and the railway system, does my hon. Friend believe that employment there would be greatly improved if British Rail would run an efficient, reliable, and clean service that met the needs of the people of Scotland?

Mr. Lang

My hon. Friend is right. It is also fair to say that the running of the engineering workshops must be a matter for BREL, and it is right for that company to try to provide a competitive and efficient service. It is the intention that part of British Rail's light maintenance of rolling stock should be carried out at BREL after 1 April.