HC Deb 23 May 1933 vol 278 cc917-9
21. Mr. GRAHAM WHITE

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new factories have been established in this country Since January, 1931, by foreign owners or by arrangement with foreign owners; how many of these factories are carrying out processes new to this country; and how many are producing goods in competition with manufacturers previously established in this country?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The last general statement in regard to the establishment of new industries by, or with the assistance of, foreign concerns was given in reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hacking) on the 19th December. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a further statement bringing the information up to the end of April.

My hon. Friend will note from these particulars that the products of the new undertakings cover a very wide and varied range, and I am afraid I am unable to provide the information asked for in the second and third parts of his question.

The following is the statement:

A further investigation made by the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Labour shows that during the period November, 1932, to April, 1933, 57 new undertakings were established by, or with the assistance of, foreign concerns and at the end of April were employing 1,533 people. A small number of aliens are also employed by these concerns under permits issued by the Ministry of Labour in respect of foreign workmen employed for short periods on erecting or starting special machinery or on training British workpeople. The total number of these new undertakings established Since November, 1931, and in production at the end of April, 1933, was 254. It is estimated by the promoters of these under- takings that the present number of their employes (10,883 at the end of April) will rise to over 17,000 when the factories are fully occupied. There are no particulars available in respect of any period prior to November, 1931. A list of the products and the particulars of the geographical distribution of the new undertakings established between November, 1931, and May, 1932, and between May, 1932, and October, 1932, was circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORTS for the 2nd June and 19th December, 1932. The following list contains similar information regarding the 57 undertakings established during the period November, 1932, to April, 1933.

PRODUCTS and geographical distribution of new undertakings established by, or with the assistance of foreign firms during the period November, 1932, to April, 1933, and now in production.

London, North.

Thirteen new undertakings employing 327 people and engaged in the following lines of manufacture:

London, South.

Two new undertakings, employing 12 people, and engaged in the following lines of manufacture:

London, East.

Thirteen new undertakings, employing 225 people, and engaged in the following lines of manufacture:

London, West.

Fifteen new undertakings, employing 505 people, and engaged in the following lines of manufacture:

The Midlands.

Five new undertakings, employing 150 people, and engaged in the following lines of manufacture:

Lancashire and Cheshire.

Four new undertakings, employing 239 people, and engaged in the following lines of manufacture:

Scotland.

One new undertaking, employing 13 people, and engaged in the manufacture of real silk piece goods.

Other Areas.

Four new undertakings, employing 62 people, and engaged in the following lines of manufacture:

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