§ 1. Mr. Nigel Daviesasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many building licences have been issued up-to-date for factories to be built in Harlow new town; and what is the total number of male and female workers respectively that it is anticipated these factories will employ.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Town and Country Planning (Mr. Lindgren)Seven building licences have been issued and a further one is about to be issued. These eight factories will employ approximately 325 men and 295 women.
§ Mr. Nigel DaviesIs this not rather a strange proportion? Does the hon. Gentleman really think that with the families coming to the new towns there will be an equal number of female workers and male workers, and is not this a rather bad pattern?
§ Mr. LindgrenNo, Sir. The hon. Member has evidently overlooked the fact that in the initial stages quite a substantial allocation of houses built will be occupied by building trade workers and that they will rectify the balance.