HC Deb 16 June 1938 vol 337 cc364-5
2. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Labour whether any requests have been received for the erection of any Government factories in the North Staffordshire area; have any steps been taken to apply the facilities of the Special Areas Act to the area; and is it intended to carry out any industrial development in the North Staffordshire-South Cheshire area?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

My right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to the industrial conditions of the Kidsgrove area, and he has brought to the notice of the Government Departments concerned the claims of this area for consideration in connection with any proposals for Government factories that may be in prospect. I have no information as to whether any progress has been made in the local negotiations, to which my right hon. Friend referred in the reply which he gave to the hon. Member on 4th November last, for the formation of a site company within the meaning of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act. In reply to the last part of the question, I have no information about the intentions of private industrialists to carry out schemes of development in the area.

Mr. Smith

Is it the intention of the Government to set up any further shadow factories, and, if so, will they bear in mind the needs of this area?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The claims of this area will be considered.

Mr. R. Acland

Are there any settled principles on which the Minister acts in recommending that certain areas should have special consideration, or does he do it in a general way?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

In connection with the site companies to which reference was made, Section 5 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, applies. As to other cases, naturally my right hon. Friend is particularly concerned about the position of areas like this area, where there is an exceptionally high rate of unemployment, and that, of course, is borne in mind.