HC Deb 10 May 1995 vol 259 c738
9. Mr. Amess

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to visit MK Electric and PMS to discuss the provision of new jobs. [21950]

Mr. Eggar

Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have any immediate plans to visit MK Electric or PMS, even though they are in Basildon.

Mr. Amess

Would my right hon. Friend join me—[HON. MEMBERS: "Labour gain."] Is that old Labour or new Labour? Would my right hon. Friend join me in welcoming the news that the Princess Royal will visit Basildon on Tuesday to open the new headquarters of MK Electric, the company that produces the finest plugs in Europe, and PMS, the company that produces the finest gifts and novelties in the world? Does he agree that such expansion and investment are further evidence of this country's economic recovery?

Mr. Eggar

I am disturbed to note that my hon. Friend did not mention Basildon in his question. [HON. MEMBERS: "He did."] I correct myself: he mentioned it only once.

I am delighted that Her Royal Highness will visit Basildon on Tuesday, not least because MK Electric, as my hon. Friend knows, has recently received an "Investors in People" award as well as transferring its headquarters to Basildon, and PMS is creating 170 new jobs. As my hon. Friend is aware, the number of people unemployed in Basildon has fallen by no fewer than 700 over the past 12 months, and that is recognition of the economic success in Basildon.