HC Deb 14 April 1959 vol 603 cc795-6
22. Mr. Robert Cooke

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many jobs were provided by new industrial buildings and extensions completed in the first quarter of 1959; and how many more jobs he expects to see provided in the near future.

Sir D. Eccles

No figures are yet available for industrial building completed in the first quarter of 1959; industrial building approved during the twelve months to 31st March, 1959, is expected to provide work for 71,770 people.

Mr Cooke

I thank my right hon. Friend for his most encouraging reply. Will he bear in mind the value of regular publication of such figures, showing as they do the success of the Government in this field?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes.

Mr Awbery

Is the Minister aware that the Bristol Commercial Vehicles organisation has vacated its premises in Bristol, and that those premises are now standing idle? Will the Minister see that these premises are used before building any others?

Sir D. Eccles

I did not know that, but I am glad to have that information, and I will do what I can about it.

Mr M. Clark Hutchison

Can my right hon. Friend give the figures for Scotland separately?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, if my hon. Friend will put down a Question.

27. Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage which Scotland obtained of the total amount of factory building approved in Great Britain during the periods 1949 to 1951 and 1956 to 1958, respectively.

Sir D. Eccles

Scotland's share of the total area of industrial building approved in Great Britain was 6.6 per cent. between 1949 and 1951 and 7.1 per cent. between 1956 and 1958.

Mr T. Fraser

Has the Minister at hand particulars of the Scottish share of the industrial building completed in the years referred to in the Question? It is the number of completed buildings which is really important.

Sir D. Eccles

The one follows the other, at a little distance of time.

Mr Fraser

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the six years of the Labour Government Scotland received over 12 per cent. of the industrial buildings completed, and that it was because of the large amount of factory building approved, and awaiting construction in 1949, that the new approvals were discontinued for the time being? This shows that the amount of factory building completed is important.