HC Deb 06 March 1945 vol 408 cc1816-8
36 and 38. Mr. Anderson

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he has considered the Report recently issued by Mr. Devereaux regarding the development of West Cumberland and which has since been adopted by the Cumberland Development Council; and will he state the steps taken to implement the Report;

(2) how many new industries have been established in the development area of West Cumberland since the announcement of the Government's full employment policy; how many have been found employment; how many industrialists have agreed to promote new industries within the development area and the potential employment figures; and what types of industries are definitely promised.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Dalton)

This report, together with much other material bearing on this subject, has been carefully examined by my Department. A number of projects are on foot for the development of existing industries, and the introduction of new industries, in West Cumberland. Some of these are now in course of negotiation and, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, it would be premature to give details until the arrangements have been completed.

37. Mr. Anderson

asked the President of the Board of Trade if attention has been called to the large number of workpeople discharged from High Duty Alloys, Limited, Distington, during the last four months; and what steps have been taken to introduce new industries, to meet this position, in accordance with the policy outlined in the Government's White Paper on Full Employment.

Mr. Dalton

Yes, Sir. The question of the future employment of the workers released from this factory is being examined at the present time, and I am in close touch on the matter with those of my colleagues who are most immediately concerned.

51. Mr. Burke

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to direct industries into Lancashire in order to maintain employment there when factories at present on war work come to the end of their orders.

Mr. Dalton

As I have previously stated, there has been a large amount of new industrial building in Lancashire during the war, and I hope that these modern factories, for which I have already received many applications from industrialists, will be fully used, when they are no longer required for war production. I have already announced that the Government factory at Speke has been leased to the Dunlop Rubber Company, Limited.

Mr. Burke

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the weaving area of Lancashire there are no new factories and no new looms on which to employ people, and that if we are not going to revert to the previous large scale unemployment there, some new industries will have to be brought into that area?

Mr. McKinlay

Under what conditions are these factories leased to firms?

Mr. Speaker

That is another question altogether.

53. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade why action has been taken to prevent new industries or factories from being started in Stoke-on-Trent; if it is his intention to facilitate industrial development in the area; what action has been taken since his visit to North Staffordshire; and how many pottery manufacturers and others, respectively, have inquired about the use of Government factories in the area.

Mr. Dalton

No action has been taken to prevent new industries or factories being started in Stoke-on-Trent. As I have previously stated, I am confident, and will do my best to ensure, that Government factories, which have been built during the war, when they are no longer required for war purposes, will be fully used for peace-time production. I have received inquiries regarding the post-war use of Government factories in the Stoke area from two pottery manufacturers and a number of firms in other industries.

57. Mr. Burke

asked the President of the Board of Trade the specific factors that were taken into consideration when determining which areas of the country are to be regarded as future development areas.

Mr. Dalton

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement which I shall make on the Second Reading of the Distribution of Industry Bill.