§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will request Scottish Enterprise to undertake a study into how the damage to local economies through the loss of textile jobs may be minimised or alleviated; and what financial assistance is available from public agencies at all levels of government.
§ Mr. Allan Stewart[holding answer 28 February 1992]: Addressing these sorts of issues is a central part of the role which the Government intended for Scottish Enterprise and the local enterprise companies when deciding to set up the new framework.
71WScottish Enterprise and the local enterprise companies monitor carefully the effects of industrial closures in Scotland and have a range of measures at their disposal to help minimise or alleviate the effects of job losses. In the case of the textiles industry, Scottish Enterprise has recently completed an internal review of the industry and is now considering how best to implement the strategy which that has identified. Scottish Borders Enterprise, along with the industry, has established the borders textiles initiative to provide practical support for design, marketing and promotion of the industry. The full range of the enterprise company's powers and functions are deployed to assist with economic development, training and job creation in the area.
In addition, the enterprise initiative provides a wide range of assistance to industry, including assistance under the Government's regional policy. The full range of Employment Service functions are also available to help those made redundant as a result of industrial closures.
There is in place, therefore, a range of measures to tackle precisely the concerns which the hon. Member has raised.