§ Mr. Buchanasked the Secretary of State for Industry if, in view of the failure so far of another major employer to come forward to take over the Linwood factory, he will now take urgent measures to promote employment in the area.
§ Mr. MacGregorMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has already asked the Scottish Development Agency to undertake a number of measures designed to promote employment in the area, which, as a special development area, is eligible for the full range of regional aid at the maximum levels.
§ Mr. Buchanasked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps he is taking to recover grants and loans made to Talbot UK, formerly Chrysler, in respect of its Linwood factory and its equipment; and if he will seek to recover such loans and grants to at least the value of the proceeds of the sale of plant and machinery at the Linwood factory.
§ Mr. Wakeham'Discussions are taking place with Talbot on the amount of regional development grants to be recovered in respect of the Linwood factory and its equipment which will be determined on the basis of the normal rules that govern repayment of grants. Loans and grants arising from the 1976 and 1978 agreements with the company and its predecessors did not relate specifically to the Linwood plant and machinery.