HC Deb 10 December 1959 vol 615 c721
12. Mr. Manuel

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total cost of providing the factory at the Industrial Estate, Kilwinning.

Mr. Erroll

My right hon. Friend is not prepared to disclose particulars of the cost of individual factories.

Mr. Manuel

The Minister of State is aware that the site clearance and servicing of this factory cost about £81,000. All that I have asked for is the cost of the provision of a Government factory that employs only a few people. I think that the House has a right to know how much money the Government have spent in providing a Government factory which has been let. Is the Minister of State aware that I was curbed in trying to secure this information on a previous occasion? I have now broadened the Question in order to try to get the figure I want. I hope that there will be some reciprocal action by the Minister.

Mr. Erroll

I am always sorry when it is not possible to give information which hon. Members desire, but there are good reasons, established by precedent over a number of years, for not giving the details and the cost of individual factories. I will be glad to explain the matter to the hon. Gentleman if he so wishes.