§ 27. Mr. MacKenzieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for reducing unemployment and creating jobs in the manufacturing sector in Glasgow.
§ Mr. LangThe best prospect for creating jobs in the manufacturing sector in Glasgow, as elsewhere, lies in continuing to improve industry's competitive position. Manufacturing companies in Glasgow, which is designated as a Development area, are eligible for a wide range of assistance under various schemes and initiatives. In particular, companies are eligible for assistance towards investment projects which create or safeguard jobs under regional selective assistance and the new regional 265W development grants scheme. In the financial year 1986–7 £2.2 million was offered under regional selective assistance towards manufacturing projects undertaken by companies based in Glasgow, and £15–8 million under the new regional development grants scheme. These offers were associated with 400 and 4,440 jobs respectively, but it should be noted that some projects receive awards of both RSA and RDG.
In addition to direct assistance towards manufacturing industry, Glasgow benefits from the full range of the Government's employment and training measures, and also from the activities of the Scottish Development Agency.