38. Miss Wardasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the official anxiety for the future industrial position of the North-east coast; and what steps he is taking to safeguard the full employment of industry and the industrial community.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)My right hon. Friend is fully aware that the North-East coast is one of the areas requiring special attention. In reply to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Government's White Paper on Employment Policy and to the full statements made by my right hon. Friends during the Debates on that Paper.
Miss WardIs my right hon. and gallant Friend not aware that we are getting tired of "words, words, words"? When will he be in a position to state, in definite terms, what action is being taken?
§ Captain WaterhouseThe hon. Lady should already be aware. Industrialists seeking to set up new industries are being advised to go to that as one of four areas.
§ Mr. A. EdwardsIs not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is one thing that he must do as the first step? Is he not aware that the ship- 714 building industry has prevented the development of shipbuilding for 4o years, and that the first thing to do is to remove the restriction?
§ Captain WaterhouseThat is another question altogether.
§ Mr. BurkeWhen the right hon. and gallant Gentleman refers to three other areas, is Lancashire amongst them, or are they depressed areas only?
§ Captain WaterhouseLancashire is not included as one of the areas requiring the most urgent attention, but the needs of Lancashire are by no means forgotten.
Miss WardWhy does my right hon. and gallant Friend express anxiety, if he believes that everything is perfect?
§ Captain WaterhouseI am very far from believing that everything is perfect but I have pointed out that steps are being taken by the Board of Trade, and it is not merely "words, words, words."
§ Mr. A. EdwardsMy previous question was implicit in the Question on the Paper. Middlesbrough had a most prosperous shipbuilding industry. Now there is not a single site in action, owing to the action of Shipbuilding Securities, who have prevented shipbuilding in my constituency for forty years. That is a very important question.
§ Captain WaterhouseI am well aware of its importance but the Question refers to the industrial position in general. If the hon. Member would like specific information on a specific industry, I will supply it if he puts down a Question.