§ 7. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour how many applications have been received for the certification of areas under Section 5 of the Special Areas Act, 1937; what areas have made such applications; how many site companies have already been formed or are in process of being formed; and whether he is satisfied that the provisions of the Act of 1937 can be of assistance to those areas?
§ Mr. E. BrownA total of 36 applications, all of which are from local authorities in Lancashire or in the adjacent parts of neighbouring counties, have been made for the certification of areas under Section 5 of the Special Areas Act, 1937. One site company has been formed—under the aegis of the Lancashire Industrial Development Council. I have no information as to the formation of other site companies, but the matter is, I understand, under consideration in other areas. With regard to the last part of the question, I am confident that the provisions of this Section can be of assistance to areas in which there is sufficient local initiative to profit by the advantages which they offer.
§ Mr. GriffithsDoes the right hon. Gentleman regard the establishment of one site factory in 12 months as satisfactory progress under the scheme? Does it not indicate that the scheme is totally inadequate to deal with the problem?