§ Mr. PopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to assist areas with rising unemployment, in particular areas of high concentrations of defence-related industry; what special programmes are available for such areas; and what plans he has to increase such assistance.
§ Mr. StewartThe Government are commited to tackling unemployment in all parts of the country by pursuing policies which lead to sustained economic improvement. As the recovery of the economy gathers pace, we shall continue to direct our policies towards creating the conditions in which new businesses can compete and prosper in world markets.
Scottish Enterprise and the local enterprise companies, through their schemes of training and business support and advice, place special emphasis on programmes which take account of the economic and employment consequences of changing military requirements. Scottish Enterprise launched in September 1992 its Scottish defence initiative, providing a strategy geared towards helping companies and local enterprise companies devise a flexible response to the new challenges and opportunities offered by rapidly changing defence markets. Scottish Enterprise has the flexibility to meet relevant needs arising from changes in the defence industry within its very substantial budget, which is £452 million in the current financial year.
43WFurther assistance is, or is expected to be, available from the European Community, under the PERIFRA and KONVER initiatives, in areas affected by the contraction of defence-related industries and military installations.