§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he is satisfied with the working of the Inverclyde initiative; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many jobs have been created by the Inverclyde initiative at the latest date; and, of these, how many are full-time occupations.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe Inverclyde initiative is a long-term programme whose aim is to stimulate the regeneration of the local economy. The employment target is the creation of up to 2,000 jobs during the five-year period of the initiative. Most of the work so far has concentrated on creating an environment which will be attractive to investors and entrepreneurs. A £6 million programme of land improvement measures is in progress, and £3.5 million was spent in the first year of the initiative to March 1986. Proposals for the redevelopment of a site at Customs house quay were recently given outline planning permission by the Inverclyde district council, and these could lead to the creation of 700 jobs.