§ 2. Mr. Granville Sharpasked the Minister of Labour what are the reasons for the slow progress made in completing the Remploy factories programme; and how many additional factories and places are likely to be made available during 1949.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe main reasons for the rate of progress have been that suitable buildings and sites in the right places have been very hard to find and that shortages of labour and materials have delayed both new buildings and adaptations. It is hoped that about 50 Remploy factories providing places for nearly 5,000 severely disabled persons will be opened by the end of 1949 in addition to the 41 factories now open.
§ Mr. SharpCan my right hon. Friend say whether there is any difficulty in disposing of the products of these factories?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThere has been some difficulty, but I think that we have now reached a solution of that problem.