§ 22. Mr. Willeyasked the President of the Board of Trade how many persons were previously employed on the Government-owned factories in the North-East Development Area which are at present vacant.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganApproximately 2,200.
§ Mr. WilleyWould not the Department accept this as a special responsibility? These factories are at present empty and exceptional steps will have to be taken immediately to see that they are at work again.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganThe Parliamentary Secretary announced on 10th February an extra inducement by reduction in the rents for certain factories.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes not the Minister of State agree that something far more drastic than that has to be done to attract new industries to areas where factories have been closed down for lack of work?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganI hope that this will produce very good results.