HC Deb 12 February 1953 vol 511 cc579-81
21. Sir D. Robertson

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assistance was given under the Development of Industry Act to the firm that closed down in the Highland Development Area.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The firm, which has since re-opened in larger premises just outside the Development Area, did not seek any help under the Distribution of Industry Act.

Sir D. Robertson

As this matter is of such importance to the success of this great Development Area, can the Minister say whether his Department has made any effort at all to nurture this delicate plant and help it over the stile?

Mr. Thorneycroft

If I may follow my hon. Friend into his mixed metaphors, I hope that he will not ask for help for this particular plant over this particular stile. In fact, the firm, which is situated just outside the Development Area, is making, in this case, a contribution to employment in the Highlands.

22. Sir D. Robertson

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of his Department's officials are directly concerned with the establishment of factories in the Development Areas and what is his policy with regard to the encouragement of applications.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

No officials are engaged exclusively on work relating to the establishment of factories in Development Areas; but 71 officials at headquarters, about 60 in regional offices whose regions include Development Areas, and a number in other regions are engaged on the administration of distribution of industry policy, which includes such work.

As regards the second part of the Question, I shall continue to use all suitable opportunities to encourage industrialists to establish factories in Development Areas.

Sir D. Robertson

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that any encouragement has been given by the Department to this problem? Is it not a fact that his officials are simply waiting for people to apply, and that they do not go out and try to induce firms to come into the Development Area?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I can tell my hon. Friend, who, I know, feels deeply about this and has done a great deal himself in this matter. that we do our best, by all the means open to us, to encourage industrialists to come to these areas; but, if my hon. Friend has any specific cases to which he would like to call my attention, I should be very happy to hear about them.

Mr. Lee

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of Government Departments are not giving any priority to firms in Development Areas? I refer specifically to the Ministry of Food. When one approaches them, they say that they have a national project, whether it is the rationing of sweets or the allocation of sugar, and will not give any particular priority to any firm in a Development Area. Will the Minister look into that, and see that they do give priority?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question down to the Minister concerned.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that unemployment is now developing in some parts of the Highlands at an alarming rate, and would he consider the fact that, in spite of all the inducements of Government Departments, no great number of firms have applied to start businesses in the Highlands? Would not the Government consider the proposal, made some time ago, that they should try to get some Government Departments which are opening up concerns to take them into the Highlands; and, failing this, that the Government should collaborate with the county councils, in getting industries started there, by granting authorisations?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am willing to consider any suggestion put forward either on behalf of a Government Department, a local authority or a private business, which will bring employment into this area, and if the right hon. Gentleman has any specific cases in mind I am quite sure that we shall be very happy to consider them.

23. Sir D. Robertson

asked the President of the Board of Trade where the three new industries are located in the 36 Highland parishes scheduled as a Development Area; the total number of people employed in them; and who built the three factories.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Two of the firms are at Inverness and one is at Alcaig. While I regret that I could not properly give figures of the numbers employed, since all three firms are small concerns and such figures would in effect disclose information about the individual firms, I can say that the number of people employed is very small. In each case the premises were built or adapted by the company concerned.