63. Mr. W. JOSEPH STEWARTasked the Minister of Labour whether any progress has been made in regard to establishing new industries in Durham County as a Special Area; have any firms been approached recently with a view to startling new industries; and is it intended to build any armament factories in the area and, if so, when and where?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Ernest Brown)I am informed that the North-East Development Board which receives assistance from the Special Areas Fund is constantly in touch with various firms with a view to the establishment of new industries in the North-East Special Areas. I would also remind the hon. Member of the formation of North-Eastern Trading Estates, Limited, and of the arrangements contemplated by the Special Areas Reconstruction (Agreement) Act, 1936. As regards the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to the hon. Member for East Woolwich (Mr. Hicks) on 26th May.
Mr. STEWARTArising out of that answer, which to me is unsatisfactory, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the north-eastern part of Durham County the figure of the insured unemployed is 41 per cent., and in the western part it is 48.5 per cent.? Are the Government prepared to do anything worth while in view of this appalling percentage of insured unemployed?
§ Mr. L. SMITHWhen the investigators are going further into this matter, will careful consideration be given to the provision in that area of more machine tool works, which are badly needed in this country?