HC Deb 02 March 1939 vol 344 cc1429-30
38. Mr. R. J. Taylor

asked the Minister of Labour the amount provided by the Exchequer to the North-East Trading Estate Company?

Mr. E. Brown

The present commitments of the Commissioner in respect of the Team Valley Trading Estate amount to £2,336,500, of which £1,560,000 have already been advanced to the Trading Estate Company. This company also provides factories outside the trading estate in accordance with the requirements of the Commissioner. The advances to date for this purpose amount to £80,000.

Mr. Shinwell

So far as Government expenditure on these estates is concerned, will a financial statement be made available to Members of the House?

Mr. Brown

Statements have, of course, been made on that matter; I am constantly asked questions about it in this House.

Mr. Shinwell

But can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, as regards Government expenditure on these trading estates, there is presented annually to this House a financial statement on which we can make comments?

Mr. Brown

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question down.

Mr. Austin Hopkinson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of that sum of money was devoted to providing work for a competitor of mine; and whether the number of men put into employment by my competitor is equal to the number thrown out of employment at my works?

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