4. Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Minister of Labour whether it is the intention of the Government to establish trading estates in Durham other than those on the Team Valley, St. Helens, and Pallion sites, with a view to providing work for the large number of unemployed in the county; and, if so, when and where?
§ Mr. E. BrownIn addition to financing the establishment of the Team Valley Trading Estate and the provision of factories on the sites at Pallion and St. Helens Auckland, the Commissioner is always prepared in suitable circumstances to assist the establishment of an industrial undertaking elsewhere by the provision of a factory or otherwise. It is, however, not the intention to establish another Trading Estate or to acquire any further large sites for groups of factories.
Mr. StewartWill the right hon. Gentleman say what plans the Government really have to deal with unemployment in Durham?
§ Mr. DaltonIs it not the case that the Improvement Association are providing for the clearance of certain sites at Shildon and elsewhere, and is it not intended to take steps to facilitate the setting up of new factories there?
§ Mr. BrownThat is covered in my answer. What the hon. Member asked for in his question was information about the trading estates, and I have given him the facts.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs any arrangement to be made for the transfer of the workmen from the St. Helens site to other parts of Durham in view of the fire which occurred recently?
§ Mr. BrownI think that it would be rather difficult to do so, but I should like to have notice of that question.
§ 10. Mr. Leslieasked the Minister of Labour the number of industries established in the county of Durham, excluding the trading estates, established as the result of overtures made to industrialists by the Commissioner for the Special Areas?
§ Mr. BrownThe number of industrial undertakings established or in course of being established in Durham, with assistance from the Commissioner for the Special Areas, outside the trading estate at Team Valley, is 15. Negotiations are in progress with three other undertakings.
§ Mr. LeslieAre any of those in derelict villages that are far removed from these trading estates?
§ Mr. LawsonIs the Minister satisfied that this method alone will meet the needs of these areas?
§ Mr. LawsonIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with a state of things in which 20,000 people have been out of work for years in one comity alone?