§ Dr. J. Dickson Mabonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many jobs have been created in the Greenock-Port Glasgow-Largs travel-to-work area since May 1979; and how many of the firms concerned have received Industry Act financial assistance.
§ Mr. YoungerComprehensive information on new jobs created is not available. In the period since 1 May 1979, however, 13 offers of selective financial assistance under Section 7 of the 1972 Industry Act have been made to projects in the Greenock-Port Glasgow-Largs travel-to-work area. New jobs associated with these offers totalled 1,831, with an additional 465 jobs being safeguarded.
§ Dr. J. Dickson Mabonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names of firms that have closed down in the Greenock-Port Glasgow-Largs travel-to-work area and the number of jobs that have been lost as a result of these closures since May 1979.
§ Mr. YoungerComprehensive information on closures is not available. I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that between May 1979 and November 1981, 11 instances involving 10 or more workers and resulting in factory closure were notified to it as due to occur in the Greenock-Port Glasgow-Largs travel-to-work area, with the loss of 454 jobs. Information on closures and redundancies is given to the Manpower Services Commission in confidence and the names of companies cannot therefore be disclosed.