§ 38. Mr. Collickasked the President of the Board of Trade how many new industrial projects, giving separately new factories and extensions exceeding 5,000 square feet, have been commenced in the Birkenhead county borough area since 1951.
§ Mr. H. StraussAccording to the records of the Board of Trade, which relate solely to new factories and extensions of over 5,000 square feet, two factories and three extensions, totalling 98,000 square feet and 35,000 square feet respectively, have been started in this area since 1st January, 1952.
§ Mr. CollickDoes the Parliamentary Secretary realise how unsatisfactory his reply is? Is he aware that there are now well over 20,000 unemployed men on Merseyside, that the local authority has recommended the building of an advance factory in Birkenhead, and will he do something about it?
§ Mr. StraussThe hon. Gentleman's supplementary question refers to Mersey-side, but he will realise that the figures for which he asked are for Birkenhead only. The figures for the Development Area are, of course, greater.