HC Deb 22 February 1940 vol 357 cc1499-500
4. Mr. W. Joseph Stewart

asked the Minister of Labour the number of factories opened on the Team Valley Trading Estate and the Pallions and St. Helen's Trading Sites, respectively; and the number of persons that have been placed in employment?

Mr. E. Brown

I am informed that on 31st January the number of factories opened and in production on the Team Valley, Pallion and St. Helen's Auckland Estates was 117, 4 and 5 respectively; the number of persons employed in those factories was 4,443, 369 and 841 respectively.

Mr. Stewart

Is it the Government's intention to build factories to turn out Government work and other kinds of work on the Team Valley Estate and the Pallions and St. Helen's sites?

Mr. Brown

I have always made every effort to get every kind of work, Government and otherwise, for these admirable estates.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the labour resources and other resources of the county of Durham are not fully utilised by the Government; and is he going to embark on a policy which will fully utilise these resources?

Mr. Brown

The House knows that I have persistently pressed that policy, but there are technical and strategic considerations about certain kinds of war effort which have to be weighed by Government Departments before giving contracts.

Mr. Stewart

Is it the Government's intention to build factories on these sites?

Mr. Brown

I have said so, subject, of course, to strategic and other considerations.

Mr. Ede

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the persons employed are men over 18?

Mr. Brown

Not without notice, but I will get the figures if the hon. Member would like to have them.