HC Deb 19 July 1982 vol 28 c75W
Mr. Norman Hogg

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of industrial investment in each of the new towns for 1979, 1980 and 1981.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The levels of gross capital expenditure by the new town development corporations for industrial and commercial development were as follows:

1979–80 1980–81 1981–82
£ million at cash prices
Cumbernauld 5.6 6.8 6.8
East Kilbride 4.3 5.7 3.7
Glenrothes 3.8 3.1 3.8
Irvine 2.8 2.9 2.2
Livingston 7.0 7.8 6.9
Total 23.5 26.3 23.4

In addition, there was substantial industrial and commercial investment in the new towns financed from other sources, including the private sector of which detailed figures are not available.

Mr. Norman Hogg

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of industrial investment in 1979, 1980 and 1981; and if he will make a statement on his projection of the levels for 1982 and 1983.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The latest available estimates of industrial investment in Scotland relate to 1979. Fixed investment in the mining and quarrying, manufacturing and gas, electricity and water industries totalled £1,165 million.

The levels of investment in future years will depend on the scale of the recovery in the economy. My Department is vigorously pursuing policies of attracting incoming investment to Scotland as well as assisting existing companies in the expansion and modernisation of their plants.