HC Deb 29 April 1948 vol 450 cc581-2
10. Commander Agnew

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to encourage the establishment of further light industries in West Cornwall; and, in particular, the proposal of Messrs. L. and C. Hardtmuth, Limited, to start a pencil lead factory at Hayle.

Mr. H. Wilson

Since the war 20 new projects covering a wide field of light industry have been established, in three cases by the allocation to firms of surplus Government premises. The Government's decision to reduce the volume of capital investment makes it impossible for the time being to permit further factory building except in those cases in which an early and substantial contribution can be made to the export trade or to import saving. The proposal of L. and C. Hardtmuth, Ltd., referred to by the hon. and gallant Member, must, for the present, I am afraid, be deferred, since it does not meet either of these requirements.

Commander Agnew

Is the Minister aware that so soon as material is available for carrying out this project the products of the factory which will have been erected would be available to help our export trade, as well as to give employment to some 200 people in a district which badly needs employment?

Mr. Wilson

Those are matters which are very much in our minds, but I can tell the hon. and gallant Gentleman that there are many more cases of greater urgency which should take the available resources for the time being.