Enterprise Zone, Ravenscraig (Hansard, 20 May 1992)

§ 13. Sir Teddy Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now received permission from the European Commission to establish an enterprise zone in the Ravenscraig area.

§ Mr. Allan Stewart
The European Commission agreed our proposals for an enterprise zone in Lanarkshire on 10 March 1992. Work is now in hand to designate the zone, which is expected to create some 8,700 net additional jobs over its 10-year life.

§ Sir Teddy Taylor
What evidence did the Government have to supply to the Commission to persuade it to achieve this tacky outcome?

§ Mr. Stewart
As was explained to the House in several debates, the Government prepared the case for an enterprise zone over a long period. A great deal of detailed work was undertaken, principally by officials in the Scottish Office and the Treasury. That work enabled the Commission to reach its decision quickly. I hope that the House will congratulate the Commission on reaching a favourable decision in less than two months. The decision was reached much sooner than had been expected and the speed with which the Commission moved on this occasion is a tribute to it.

§ Dr. Godman
I hope that the Minister's projection of about 8,500 jobs is borne out. My experience with the Inverclyde enterprise zone suggests that the actual number of jobs produced will be much lower, and that will be a sad business for the people of north Lanarkshire. When are the people of Inverclyde to be given decent treatment by way of the Inverclyde enterprise zone?

§ Madam Speaker
Order. What is the question?

§ Dr. Godman
Far too many people in Inverclyde are still unemployed and that lot on the Government Front Bench are doing nothing to improve the lot of the people of Inverclyde.

§ Mr. Stewart
I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman chose not to mention the recent announcement by National Semiconductor Ltd., which was a major boost for his constituency.

§ Dr. Godman
Outside the enterprise zone.

§ Mr. Stewart
Indeed, but was it not a major boost for the hon. Gentleman's constituency?

§ Dr. Godman
Outside the enterprise zone.

§ Mr. Stewart
The hon. Gentleman and Inverclyde district council have discussed the enterprise zone with me. The hon. Gentleman is aware of the commitment of Scottish Enterprise and Renfrewshire Enterprise. He knows what is being undertaken to improve the infrastructure on the sites. I hope very much that the Inverclyde enterprise zone will be the success that the hon. Gentleman and his constituents want.