(East Kilbride and Strathaven)
(Lab):...I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow
East () on securing this debate. I
take the opportunity to highlight one of Scotland's economic
successes, which is now unfortunately a huge economic
challenge—the town of East Kilbride. It was Scotland's first new
town and I would argue its most successful, but it was a success
as a result of an interventionist industrial strategy. It brought
together incentives and investment from the local development
corporation and central Government, which resulted in inward
investment and technological manufacturing that led to the
Motorola plan, the Rolls-Royce
plan and many more. A strategic approach by Government to locate
and disperse several service jobs means that His Majesty's
Revenue and Customs and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office remain in the town today...
...There is of course now hope with the new Government's focus on
growth and investment, as well as the creation of GB Energy. East
Kilbride can use its space and its skills that were formerly used
to deliver companies such as Rolls-Royce
and Motorola. With a Government serious about driving investment,
boosting our economy and creating jobs, towns such as mine in
East Kilbride can be rebuilt and renewed. That is the focus of
what this Government are trying to do. The work of post-war
Governments who transformed our public realm can once again take
place. It is a testament to the mission-led Government, who have
a long-term strategic vision to rebuild Britain with an
industrial and economic policy that puts working people, fairness
and growth at its core..
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