§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT all departmental correspondence appertaining to the three European Commission studies concerning redundant steelworkers and mineworkers in South Wales;
(2) if he will make a statement on his stopping of three studies to help redundant workers made by the European Commission.
§ Mr. BennI have not stopped proposals for three studies to help redundant 437W workers made by the European Commission.
The cost of a number of studies of the economic problems of the assisted areas and of the consequences of closing steelworks is being shared on a fifty-fifty basis by my Department, the Scottish Office, the Northern Ireland Department of Commerce, the Training Services Agency and the British Steel Corporation, with the European Commission; several more such studies are being considered for joint financing. The initiative for all such studies comes from the United Kingdom, not from the Commission.
Studies which have already been arranged are:
- (a) Prospects for the industrial development of West Belfast, with the Northern Ireland Department of Commerce.
- (b) The retraining and experience in new-employment of redundant steelworkers, with the Training Services Agency and the British Steel Corporation.
- (c) A study of the suitability of the Cambuslang steelworks site as an industrial estate, with the Scottish Office.
- (d) The location of the non-manufacturing activities of manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, with the Department of Industry.
Studies now under consideration for joint funding with the EEC are:
- (a) The effects of moving government offices to Wales and Scotland on the local labour market; the Department of Employment is the United Kingdom sponsor.
- (b) Further studies of the effectiveness of measures to assist redundant steelworkers; the British Steel Corporation is the United Kingdom sponsor.
- (c) A study of the recreational needs of North-East Scotland; the Scottish Office is the United Kingdom sponsor.
Another study has been considered for joint funding with the EEC by my Department, though no firm agreement was reached with the Commission for its funding. This project, which my Department had discussed with Professor George of the University College, Cardiff, was for a study of employment problems in South Wales. Before approving this project I decided to offer the money to the Wales TUC and to ask whether it would consider how it might be spent in a way 438W that could be most helpful to us and to its members.
The Wales TUC considered that the research should cover a wider range of employment problems than the project suggested by Professor George, and put forward its own proposals for research. These proposals are now being discussed between my Department and the Wales TUC.
I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT my letter of 5th August to the Secretary of the Wales TUC which explains the reasons for my decision. I am sure that research work designed to assist with industrial problems is both more likely to be relevant, and the findings are more likely to be implemented, if the formulation and execution of the work is undertaken under the supervision of those it is intended to assist.
I naturally hope that the EEC funds, to which the United Kingdom contributes, would be available to assist research undertaken on this basis.
Secretary of State for Industry
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
01–222 7877
G. Wright,
Secretary,
Welsh TUC,
Transport House,
Charles Street,
Cardiff
5th August 1974
Dear Mr. Wright,
There has been a programme of joint research for some time sponsored by Government Departments and the EEC.
One project recently under discussion involved research under the direction of Professor George at University College, Cardiff, dealing with the response of indigenous firms in South Wales to changes brought about by the run down of jobs in basic industries and the attraction of new industries.
This came to me for approval and I have suggested a different way of handling this project.
In Labour's programme 1973 on Page 28, we say that we are looking closely at "money for unions to sponsor their own research on job problems".
I have, therefore, decided that instead of funding this project I should offer the money to you in the Welsh TUC—about £20,000—and ask you whether you would consider how that money might be spent in a way that would be most helpful to us and your members.
If you feel that the present research project—described in the attached memorandum—is relevant, then you would be quite free to go ahead with it and Professor George and 439W his Unit would be working for you and under your general supervision.
Alternatively, you might prefer a different project to be undertaken by Professor George, or someone else, again under your joint oversight.
The third possibility would be that you might think the money could better be spent by making it possible for you or your affiliated unions, or individuals from them, to be funded for their own research, which would then be reported to their organisations for implementation.
I would be grateful if you could respond as soon as possible and I would be happy to discuss the matter with you since I attach great importance to this and hope that you will feel able to respond positively. Once we have agreed a programme the money will be made available.
Yours,
Tony Benn.
Mr. Tom Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if he has rejected any offers of funds from the EEC Commission for carrying out investigations into Welsh unemployment;
(2) whether there are any joint projects between his Department and the European Commission on investigating unemployment in Wales;
(3) what funds from the European Commission are available to his Department for undertaking investigations into unemployment in Wales.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what were the terms of reference of a research study on the economic structure of South-East Wales for which grant aid was proposed by the EEC Commission;
(2) what are the terms of reference of the study for which grant aid has been offered by him to the Welsh TUC;
(3) what specific grant aid has been proposed to his Department by the EEC Commission for research projects related to the economy of South-East Wales;
(4) what proposals for grant aid from the EEC Commission for research into the economic structure of South-East Wales he has received; and what his reply has been.
§ Mr. BennI have nothing to add to my reply today to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Moonman).