HC Deb 26 February 1940 vol 357 cc1726-7
23. Mr. David Adams

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there are in county Durham and on Tyneside idle factories, which, if not required for arms production, could be utilised for the manufacture of component parts required for our export trade; and whether the attention of the area officer has been directed to the urgency of securing the co-operation of such local concerns with the larger firms of the country specialising in the export trade with a view to securing such increased production and employment?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Major Lloyd George)

I have no reason to suppose that the owners of any factories of the kind the hon. Member has in mind are not taking adequate steps to bring them to the notice of manufacturers requiring factories.

Mr. Adams

May I ask the Minister to deal with the part of my Question which he has scarcely answered, namely, whether there are not idle factories on the Tyneside which could be utilised in this way?

Major Lloyd George

Perhaps the hon. Member will bring me the particular cases which he has in mind, but I would remind him that the Industrial Development Council is still functioning and also the various bureaux set up by the railway companies to help industrial development in particular areas.