HC Deb 28 January 1954 vol 522 cc1961-2
53. Mr. Willey

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to increase the number of persons employed in the North-Eastern Trading Company factories in Sunderland

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The number of persons employed by tenant firms in these factories depends primarily on business considerations; but my Department and the Estate Company are always prepared to give every help they can to firms which seek it.

Mr. Willey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is causing serious concern, that there are about 500 fewer people employed in these factories than there were two years ago, and that we would really invite his intervention?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The hon. Gentleman knows that I am giving my close attention to this matter, which concerns, in the main, the fact that the tenant of one of the factories has left.

54. Mr. Willey

asked the President of the Board of Trade upon what types of manufacture the several firms are engaged, which his Department has put in touch with Messrs. Price regarding the factory they occupy in Sunderland

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The firms concerned are engaged in textile spinning and the manufacture of clothing.

Mr. Willey

Does the right hon. entleman not appreciate that these are not the best types of industry to use in Sunderland, and in view of our experience in past crises will he try to canvass interests from a wider field?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I certainly do not want to narrow the possibilities, but this factory was designed for work of that character and the contents and the machinery are of that type, so that there are obvious advantages in trying, at any rate initially, to get a tenant of that sort.