§ 36. Miss Herbisonasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to find alternative industry for the factory in Shotts which will be vacant as a result of the decision of Francis Sumner and Company Limited.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftNo definite decision has been conveyed to me by the tenant. But, on the assumption that the factory may shortly be vacant, we are doing all we can to interest prospective tenants in it.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, on Monday of this week, I had a letter from the firm saying that it had decided to terminate the lease? Surely that decision would be given to the Minister's Department in Scotland. Will the Minister give me an assurance that from this moment, now that he knows the decision is taken, every step will be pursued to find alternative employment?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI had already started to take steps before the information reached me. The letter has not reached me, but steps are in train at the present time.