§ 13. Mr. Hannahasked the Minister of Labour whether he can make any statement about the trading estates in the depressed areas; and whether it is proposed to extend them?
§ Mr. E. BrownOn 31st May, 1938, 45 factories had been completed on the Team Valley Trading Estate; 43 of these had been occupied by tenants, 36 of whom had begun production. As regards the future, 45 factories were then in course of construction for tenants and a further seven tenants had been secured for factories which had not then been begun. Negotiations were proceeding with 112 other possible tenants. At the same date on the Treforest Trading Estate 16 factories had been completed; 14 had been occupied by tenants, 10 of whom had begun production. Eighteen factories were in course of erection to meet the requirements of tenants, and negotiations were proceeding with a large number of possible tenants, and it was expected that at least 28 tenancies would mature from those negotiations.
§ Mr. BrownIf the hon. Member will put that question down, I will do my best to give him the latest figures.
§ 14. Mr. Bateyasked the Minister of Labour the number of men, 21 years of age and over, who are employed in the factories on the Team Valley estate?
§ Mr. BrownThe latest information which I have about the age grouping of workers in the factories on the Team Valley Trading Estate is that given to the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) on 12th April. The information was to the effect that about the middle of March when the total number employed was 758, those under 18 numbered 321. The total number now employed is over 1,000, and the proportion under 18 is probably about the same.
§ Mr. BateyShould I be justified in assuming, on private information sent to me, that there are only 387 men over 18 years of age employed on the Team Valley Estate, which means that the Government have spent over £3,000 for each man employed in the factory?
§ Mr. DaltonCould not the Minister endeavour to bring the figures up to a more recent date?
§ Mr. BrownI will see what I can do in this matter, but the House must remember that I have no powers in the matter. I must ask the trading estates to get from them—and they are mostly small people, with not much clerical assistance—a number of facts, which I have tried to do, but I will look into the matter again and see what I can do.