asked the President of the Board of Trade what success he has had in bringing new industry to the City and County of Aberdeen, since the introduction of the Local Employment Act.

Five new projects, employing about 85 people, have come into operation in Aberdeenshire, and further projects to employ about 125 are in prospect.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that this is only chickenfeed? Does he further realise that he now has an unrivalled opportunity of fulfilling some of the Governmental promises to bring trade to Aberdeen by attracting some of the contracts and sub-contracts in connection with the building of the new Cunarder so that the £18 million of public money to be spent on that project will be distributed fairly throughout Scotland?

I realise that unemployment has fallen from 3·2 per cent. in the Aberdeen district in May, 1960, to 2·5 per cent, and that an £800,000 Government contract was recently awarded to an Aberdeen shipbuilder.

Can my hon. Friend say what action has been taken by his Department to try to persuade firms in the industrial belt of Scotland to award sub-contracts to the development areas, such as Aberdeen?

I am well aware of the desirability of doing exactly what the hon. Lady suggests.

But will my hon. Friend say what he is doing about it?

The regional controllers are in constant touch with industry and they make this point to industry in appropriate circumstances.