§ 44. Mr. G. Thomasasked the President of the Board of Trade if plans have now been fully developed to provide full employment in Wales.
§ Mr. BelcherIt is not practicable to give a categorical answer to this Question. Development of industrial activity is a continuous process, and the Board of Trade are developing, and will continue to develop, plans to facilitate industrial activity in the South Wales and Monmouthshire Development Area, and in the Wrexham Development Area which has just been added to the First Schedule of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945. As regards North Wales, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Caernarvon-shire (Mr. Goronwy Roberts) on 6th March. So far, 115 industrial building projects of over 5,000 square feet have been approved for the South Wales Development Area. It is estimated that these will ultimately employ about 34,000 people.
§ 71. Mr. G. Thomasasked the President of the Board of Trade on how many new factories in South Wales has construction actually begun; and for how many persons is it expected that these factories will give employment.
§ Mr. BelcherAt the end or February, building operations had begun in respect of 41 new factories or extensions in South Wales. It is expected that these, when in full production, will provide employment for approximately 10,000 persons.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteWhen are the factories expected to be completed?
§ Mr. BelcherI cannot say without notice