HC Deb 22 June 1939 vol 348 cc2412-3
2. Mr. W. Joseph Stewart

asked the Minister of Labour the number of factories on the Team Valley Trading Estate that are now in production; the number under construction; and the number of persons employed up to date?

Mr. E. Brown

On 31st May, 1939, 99 factories were occupied and in production on the Team Valley Estate. The number of persons employed in the factories was 2,525. Eight factories had been completed but had not then been occupied by the tenants; nine were under construction for tenants who had agreed to lease them and 14 further tenants had been secured making a total of 130.

Mr. Stewart

Are any industries new to Durham being introduced on the estate, and is there still an inquiry from manufacturers and business men for these factories?

Mr. Brown

Certainly.

Mr. Charles Brown

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in these factories trade unionists are being preferred and trade union rates of wages paid?

Mr. Brown

That is a separate question of which I should require notice.

Mr. Lawson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these 2,500 are only a drop in the bucket in dealing with the unemployed in Durham, and has he any definite plans to deal with this problem?

Mr. Brown

They are growing, and, of course, the figures of unemployment in the county are dropping regularly month by month.

Mr. Stewart

Will the Minister answer the first part of my supplementary question as to whether any industries new to Durham are being introduced?

Mr. Brown

I thought that that was quite clear. The bulk of them are new industries.