HC Deb 22 May 1947 vol 437 cc2509-11
26. Mr. D. J. Williams

asked the President of the Board of Trade in which development areas have factories been approved for the production of milling machinery; and what progress has been made in their erection.

Sir S. Cripps

Factory building projects for the production of mining machinery have been approved in the North-Eastern, West Cumberland, South Lancashire and Scottish Development Areas. The project in the North-Eastern area comprises three extensions to an existing factory, two of which have been completed. The projects in the West Cumberland and Scottish areas are at present under construction. Work has not yet started on the project in the South Lancashire area.

27. Mr. D. J. Williams

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with the projects for the manufacture of opencast mining equipment in South Wales; where these projects are to be located; and how many men they are expected to employ when they are in production.

Sir S. Cripps

Projects for the manufacture or repair of opencast mining equipment are located at Cardiff and Aberdare. They consist of two extensions to an existing factory and a new factory at Cardiff and the allocation of a section of a Government-owned factory at Aberdare. Preliminary work on a small scale has started in the section of the Government factory. Construction of the new factory and the two extensions has not yet commenced. When in full production these schemes may be expected to give additional employment to about 450 men.

28. Mr. D. J. Williams

asked the President of the Board of Trade what Government factory in South Wales has been allocated for the production of mining machinery; is the size of this factory; and when it is expected to be in production.

Sir S. Cripps

A factory at Rhymney has been made available for the production of mining machinery. The factory has an area of 40,000 square feet. The factory is in production and at the end of March, 1947, was employing 157 men. When in full production, it should employ about 300 men.

Mr. Williams

Will my right hon. and learned Friend regard the projects referred to in this and my two previous Questions as matters of special urgency, partly to provide machinery for the collieries and partly to provide employment for people who are unemployed in the development areas?

Sir S. Cripps

They will certainly be considered as matters of urgency so far as available supplies of building materials allow.