asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take the necessary steps to endow Kyle and Carrick District Council and Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council, or Strathclyde Region in discharge of its industrial and economic functions in those areas, with the same industrial incentives as presently enjoyed by Irvine New Town.

I have been asked to reply.The southern part of Kyle and Carrick district, like Irvine, is already a special development area. I consider that the development area status enjoyed by the remaining areas confers substantial incentives for the promotion and development of industry there.