HC Deb 12 November 1957 vol 577 cc753-4
8. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of undertakings given by him on the closing down of the Swynnerton Royal Ordnance Factory, to what extent he has been successful in encouraging the opening or expanding of industrial concerns in the City of Stoke-on-Trent, with particular reference to the Newstead industrial site.

10. Dr. Stross

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on his plans for new industries in Stoke-on-Trent.

Sir D. Eccles

The Board of Trade have brought the facilities for establishing new industry in North Staffordshire to the notice of industrialists and will continue to do so, but so far no definite result has been obtained.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the municipality has done all it possibly can do in this respect, and will he give instructions to his officials that the municipal authorities should be encouraged by more concrete results?

Dr. Stross

is the President of the Board of Trade satisfied that there is a very special need for new industries in this city? If he is, will he use every power he has to encourage industrialists to bring their industries there? While doing so, will he bear in mind, too, that there is a very special problem associated with the two principal industries, mining and pottery, which cause us a large number of pneumoconiosis cases, and that this adds point to the request made?

Sir D. Eccles

I am aware of those circumstances, and we are trying now to interest one or two likely industrialists.

Mr. S. Silverman

Would the right hon. Gentleman call the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to this problem, because the industries which will be especially affected and subjected to considerable new strains by the European Free Trade Area include industries like cotton which no one could call at the moment very greatly or very universally equipped with modern equipment? Will he draw the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the fact that the Government's present financial policy imposes upon those industries the greatest possible restriction in re-equipping themselves, and also upon the introduction of alternative industries, at the very moment when those industries most require to modernise themselves, and alternative industries are required?

Sir D. Eccles

While not accepting all hon. Member says, I will, of course, bring his remarks to the attention of my right hon. Friend.