§ 8. Mr. P. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange to visit the North-Eastern Trading Estates in the near future.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI regret that I shall not be able to pay such a visit in the near future, but my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary hopes to visit the North-East Development Area in the autumn.
§ Mr. WilliamsWhile I regret that my right hon. Friend himself cannot visit the North-East, will he take it from me that it will be extremely welcome that someone from his Department is to go to the North-East to see how it is developing?
§ 9. Mr. P. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to give further information about the opening of new factories on the North-Eastern Trading Estates.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftIn the year ended 31st May, 1955, thirty-two factory extensions and five new factory buildings, providing a total of 450,000 sq. ft. of space, were completed by North-Eastern Trading Estates Limited. At the end of May, seventeen factory extensions and two new factory buildings, totalling 590,000 sq. ft., were under construction.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs this increased figure of building under construction not further evidence of the confidence of industrialists in the North-East in the work of the Board of Trade in bringing industry to them?
§ Mr. BottomleyCan the Minister say when we are likely to get a report on the trading estates? I believe that an inquiry is being made into this matter.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question.
§ Mr. McKayWhen the Minister's Parliamentary Secretary visits the North-East, will the right hon. Gentleman instruct him to visit the site of the Tyne tunnel and consult the local authorities as to the advisability of its completion, and how much it would affect the trade of the district?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI am sure that my hon. Friend will take all relevant considerations into account, but we will plan his visit a little nearer to the time.