§ 20. Mr. F. Willeyasked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made regarding the two North-Eastern Trading Estate Company's factories in Sunderland which are still vacant.
§ Mr. H. StraussA surrender of the lease of Price's Tailors Ltd. has now been arranged and we have recently brought the factory to the notice of several more possible tenants. Fordham and Co. Ltd. are themselves seeking a tenant for their factory, which we are also bringing to the notice of suitable applicants for factory space.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that I am very glad that he has at last taken the advice which was previously tendered to him? Is he further aware that there is now a possibility of a third factory closing and that the special difficulties of Sunderland merit the particular attention of the Board of Trade?
§ Mr. StraussAs to the special difficulties of Sunderland, I am sure the hon. Member will welcome the fact that the building of a new factory on the Pallion estate has started. But, on the problem generally, I am sure that he will better serve the interests which I believe he has in mind if he will have a talk with me on the whole matter.