§ 21. Mr. Willeyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the grounds on which he decided that Sunderland did not qualify for inclusion on the list of places where Government assistance under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958, will be available.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganThe level and persistence of unemployment in Sunderland did not measure up to the criteria which are applied for determining whether a place can be included on the list.
§ Mr. WilleyThen cannot the Minister accept that the criteria are unsatisfactory? We have well over 5,000 unemployed, the prospects for the shipbuilding industry are far from certain, and something must be done.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganThe hon. Member was told on 10th February that we shall watch the position closely.
§ 30. Mr. Willeyasked the President of the Board of Trade why no factory extensions have been authorised in Sunderland.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganWe have not had an application from any of our tenants.
§ Mr. WilleyIs that not a good reason for starting immediately the proposed training estate north of the river? Why can we not begin it to ease the unemployment?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganPerhaps the hon. Member will put that Question down, and then I will answer it.
§ Mr. WilleyIn view of the fact that I put down the Question last week and in view of the continued unsatisfactory reply from the hon. Gentleman's Department, I beg to give notice that I will continue to try to raise the matter on the Adjournment.