§ 35. Mr. Dempseyasked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the attraction of new industry to Scotland for the employment of miners who will become redundant as a result of pit closures in the next few years.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. W. Hamilton) on 16th November.
§ 37. Mr. Gourlayasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of delays in industrial developments in Scotland, arising from the uncertainty of Great Britain's position in relation to the Common Market; and what action he proposes to take to assist industries thus affected.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonMy right hon. Friend is, of course, aware that the investment plans of some firms may be affected by our negotiations for joining the Common Market. Where serious unemployment is threatened for this, or any other reason, we are always ready to consider using our powers of assistance under the Local Employment Act.
§ 38. Mr. Willisasked the President of the Board of Trade what estimates he has made of the loss of jobs that will take place as the result of pit and rail closures in Scotland; and what particular steps he proposes to take to provide additional new jobs in Scotland.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonI understand that about 5,000 men are at present employed in the collieries in Scotland which the National Coal Board have announced are likely to be closed in 1962, but the24W N.C.B. expect to be able to offer jobs elsewhere to the great majority of those who will still be seeking employment in the mines. I am also informed that there is not likely to be an appreciable loss of jobs as a result of the rail closures and that there should be no redundancy.
As to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 16th November to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. W. Hamilton).
§ 39. Mr. Willisasked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations took place between his Department and the British Transport Commission prior to the recently announced rail closures in Scotland, regarding the number of men likely to be in need of new jobs.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonNone.
§ Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of recent developments in the coalmining industry, he will now add the new town of Glenrothes to the list of areas of unemployment scheduled under the terms of the Local Employment Act.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonNo. Not on the information at present available. But my right hon. Friend is watching the situation closely.