§ 72. Major Sir Goronwy Owenasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give in assurance that industrialists, who are now engaged in the production of war equipment in factories owned by the Government but situated outside the four scheduled priority areas; will be given opportunities for acquiring these factories and, after the cessation of hostilities, for obtaining equipment and raw materials to enable them to establish new industries in these factories and thus absorb the available labour.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the full statement made by my right hon. Friend in the Debate on Location of Industry on 8th December last, to which he has at present nothing to add.
§ Sir G. OwenIs the Minister aware that officials of his Department are already sending out letters saying that they will be unable to guarantee any raw materials, or plant, or machinery for the establish- 1444 ment of new industries outside the four scheduled areas?
§ Captain WaterhouseI am aware that a letter has been sent out suggesting to industrialists certain areas to which attention might be drawn, but the letter does not go so far as the hon. and gallant Member would seem to suggest.
§ Sir G. OwenIs it not a fact that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department cannot guarantee that factories, which are now being employed for war purposes, will get plant, machinery and raw materials for a period of four or five years after the war?
§ Captain WaterhouseNo such guarantee was suggested in the letter.
§ 73. Sir G. Owenasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in pursuance of the Government post-war policy for the location of industry, it is proposed to limit the establishment of new industries to the four areas which have already been scheduled for priority consideration.
§ Captain WaterhouseNo, Sir.