§ 30. Mrs. Mannasked the President of the Board of Trade the size of the experiment factory for Coatbridge, the stage of building operations, and the product to be engaged in, with the approximate number of men and women who will be employed therein.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe size of this advance factory will be 45,000 sq. ft. Site preparation is going ahead, and building work should start next month. I have not yet selected the tenant. But I expect employment to be round 250.
§ Mrs. MannCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the factory will employ fully male or fully female labour?
§ Sir D. EcclesThat depends on the tenant, and we have not yet been able to make a decision.
§ 31. Mrs. Mannasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now give further information in respect of the additional factories discussed at the time of the Parliamentary Secretary's visit to Coatbridge during his tour of the industrial areas of Scotland.
§ Sir D. EcclesI regret that the smaller of the two firms has quite recently withdrawn. Discussions with the other firm continue, but its plans are not yet complete.
§ Mrs. MannThis will be a great disappointment to the people in my constituency. Is it not disappointing that, though the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade comes to Coatbridge and promises two factories, we should find when he returns to London that one of the offers has been withdrawn?
§ Sir D. EcclesIt is disappointing, but I can tell the hon. Lady that the firm that has withdrawn expected to employ 28 persons, while the firm with which we are still in touch, and with which we hope to be successful, hopes to employ 600.