§ 12. Mr. Timmonsasked the President of the Board of Trade what firm is taking over the factory which is being vacated by Vactric; and how many persons they hope to employ.
§ Mr. H. StraussNegotiations are in progress with a company who hope to employ a substantial number of persons, but I am not at liberty to disclose the name of the company at present.
§ Mr. TimmonsIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that for some considerable time the Vactric Company have been preparing to vacate this site? Is he further aware that this week or next week there will be an additional 800 people on the unemployed register? Could he say what firm is likely to come into the area, and when? Is he aware that if we are to wait for some time for it to come and wait while it is tooling-up the factory the unemployment figures in the area, which are already the highest in Scotland, will be increased?
§ Mr. StraussThe hon. Gentleman cannot have looked at the Question which he has put on the Paper, to which I have given him an answer.
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the hon. and learned Gentleman look very carefully into this matter? This is one of the finest factory buildings in Scotland, and, so far, it has not been properly occupied.
§ Mr. StraussI share the hope of the right hon. Gentleman for successful negotiations. Negotiations are taking place, but I do not think it would serve any useful purpose if I were to add anything to the answer I have given.