15. Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Minister of Labour the number of factories completed and the number of persons employed on the Team Valley, St. Helens, and Pallions Trading Estates, respectively?
§ Mr. E. BrownOn the Team Valley Trading Estate, 95 factories have been completed for industrial undertakings, 76 of which are in production. The number of persons employed in the factories is 1,603. The other sites mentioned in the question are not trading estates; the position with regard to these is: Pallion—One factory completed—169 persons employed; St. Helens Auckland—Two factories completed—282 persons employed.
Mr. StewartCan the right hon. Gentleman say approximately the number of persons it is anticipated will be placed in employment when these trading estates are completed?
§ Mr. BrownI should not like to say, but I look forward to a period of about 10 years' time when the Team Valley Estate will be one of the romances of the North.
§ Sir Joseph NallHow many of these factories have in fact been transferred from other districts which are now suffering from lack of employment?
§ Mr. BrownI do not think in this case that is so, but if the hon. Member has any instance in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs it not the case that the Minister has received from various industries protests because they are being injured—particularly the hosiery industry?
§ Miss WilkinsonComparing the literature which has been put out about the Team Valley Estate and the actual number of men employed, is it not one of the great romances of the North now?
§ Mr. BrownThere was a time when hon. Members attacked it violently, but I notice that they are not attacking it so violently as they used to do.
§ Mr. George GriffithsHas not the Minister been romancing very successfully for three and a half years?
18. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Labour the number of trading estates established in the Special Areas by the Government; and the number in course of preparation in England, Scotland, and Wales, respectively?
§ Mr. BrownThree large trading estates, namely, those at the Team Valley, North Hillington and Treforest have been established in the Special Areas. In addition, the Commissioners have acquired a number of sites each suitable for one or more factories.