§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional assistance he will be offering to agencies in Ayrshire following the loss of jobs at Jetstream Aircraft Ltd., Wilson's Pipe Fittings and Connor Peripherals (UK) Ltd.; and if he will make it his policy not to wind up the Irvine development corporation before 1999.
§ Mr. StewartMy right hon. Friend and I regret the recent announcements of job losses by companies in Ayrshire. The local enterprise company, Enterprise Ayrshire, has at its disposal a wide range of measures and flexibility to encourage broad economic development throughout Ayrshire; and to provide training, reskilling and to generate alternative employment opportunities. The overall allocation of resources to local enterprise companies is a matter for Scottish Enterprise to determine, with Enterprise Ayrshire currently allocated a budget of more than £24 million. While it is for the local enterprise company to set its own priorities within those resources, we place significant importance on its ability to react promptly and flexibly in addressing the consequences of closures and job losses. Enterprise Ayrshire has been closely involved with Jetstream on a number of fronts and will continue to maintain its contact. Any difficulties which might arise from the commercial decisions of it or other companies to cease or reduce operations will be fully considered by Scottish Enterprise in its future allocation decisions.
My right hon. Friend set out the Government's policy on the wind-up of the Scottish new town development corporations in the reply given to the hon. Member for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth (Mr. Hogg) on 27 October, Official Report, columns 682–84. This policy reflects the belief that Scottish Enterprise and the local enterprise companies are sufficiently matured to undertake the leading economic development role for all areas within their boundaries.