§ Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the increasing unemployment in Scotland, and the fact that the Local Employment Act is insufficient to solve the problem, what other proposals he now has to remedy the position.
§ Mr. ErrollI am confident that the various measures taken by the Chancellor in recent months will benefit Scotland both directly and indirectly. My part in combating unemployment is the vigorous use of my powers under the Local Employment Act.
In view of the very great amount of assistance for Scotland already provided under the Act I cannot accept that it is inadequate.
§ Mr. Hamiltonasked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent he estimates the difficulties of attracting industry to Scotland in sufficient quantities to salve the unemployment problem are due to the inadequacies of the transport system.
§ Mr. ErrollThe distances involved can be a discouragement to manufacturers in the South and Midlands, who contemplate siting a new factory in Scotland, though the relative importance of transport costs depends on the nature and cost structure of the product in question. But the transport system as such, which seems to be generally well regarded by industrialists, causes me no difficulty in my efforts to attract industry to Scotland.
§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state his present plans to attract new industries to the various districts in Scotland where unemployment now exists; when those plans will be put into operation; and what are the principal districts concerned.
§ Mr. D. PriceMy right hon. Friend proposes to continue to make vigorous use of his powers under the Local Employment Act to encourage the introduction of new industry into the development districts in Scotland. I am sending the hon. and learned Member a list of these districts.