§ 28. Mr. Burkeasked the President of the Board of Trade when it is expected that the Mullard factory in the North-East Lancashire Development Area will be in full production; and how many persons of both sexes it is hoped will then be found employment.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftIt is expected that this factory will be in full production by the end of the year and will then employ upwards of 1,000 people, mainly men.
§ Mr. BurkeIs the Minister aware that in the last two years the number of people in the cotton weaving industry in this area has dropped by 7,000, that the migration from the area is about 1,000 per year, and that this one effort is not really sufficient to cope with those appalling circumstances?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI am aware of the special problems of this area, which the hon. Member has very rightly and properly drawn to my attention on a number of occasions. At the same time, I would say that I think the erection and use of this great new factory will at least make an important contribution to the problem.