§ 16. Mr. Timmonsasked the President of the Board of Trade what prospects he has for finding a tenant to take over a large factory building now standing empty at Carlisle Road, Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
§ Mr. J. RodgersI understand that this factory is at present partially in use and that its owners have no immediate intention of vacating it.
§ Mr. TimmonsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there have been five different firms in this factory since the end of the war and that during the war 3,000 people were employed in it? Will he use the powers he has to requisition the factory, or take other measures, to ensure substantial employment in it?
§ Mr. RodgersThe factory was bought more than a year ago by Salts (Saltaire) Ltd., and it is really for it to look after the employment situation.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs it a fact that in the industrial estates there is provision that if a factory is not being fully used a smaller factory may be put at the disposal of be firm so that a bigger firm may use the larger installation?
§ Mr. RodgersIf another firm were available to take it, that might be worth investigating.
§ 17. Mr. Timmonsasked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to utilise the empty factory space now standing at Carfin Industrial Estate, Lanarkshire.
§ Mr. J. RodgersThese premises have been advertised in the Press, and the Board of Trade's regional controllers are doing their best to find a tenant.
§ Mr. TimmonsIs the hon. Member aware that this industrial estate has never served the purpose for which it was intended—that of providing substantial employment? Is he aware that in the same area almost 500,000 sq. ft. of Admiralty factory space is becoming available? Surely something can be done to send firms to an area where the unemployment rate is between 9 and 10 per cent.
§ Mr. RodgersMy right hon. Friend has every sympathy and shares the desire of the hon. Member to raise the level of employment in north Lanarkshire. We are doing all we can at the Board of Trade to help.
§ Mr. JayDo not all these Questions about unemployment show that the Government's actions so far have been quite inadequate and that they are much too complacent about the whole matter? Will the hon. Gentleman and the President of the Board of Trade seriously consider taking more drastic action?
§ Mr. RodgersI can assure the right hon. Gentleman that there is no complacency and that we are spending a great deal of time studying every point.
§ Mr. TimmonsIn view of the most unsatisfactory reply from the Parliamentary Secretary, and as the Government are so complacent about unemployment in the area, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.