HC Deb 17 April 1985 vol 77 c189W
24. Mr. George Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he has introduced to alleviate unemployment in Lanarkshire in the last 12 months.

Mr. Allan Stewart

The Government's strategy, re-emphasised in the Budget statement, is designed to keep inflation down and to offer real incentive for enterprise. This is the best means of improving employment prospects in all parts of the United Kingdom, including Lanarkshire. The full range of the Manpower Services Commission's special employment and training measures is available in Lanarkshire on a continuing basis. In addition, during the last 12 months, Lanarkshire has benefited from the following Scottish Development Agency projects: 35 new or refit factory building projects, valued at £5.85 million; 52 land engineering projects, valued at £3.15 million; 19 cases of aid to small businesses, valued at approximately £4.1 thousand; further aid to the New Lanark project, valued at £59.0 thousand.