HC Deb 23 July 1959 vol 609 cc1497-8
21. Mr. Green

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to encourage new industrial development in the North-East Lancashire Development Area.

Sir D. Eccles

The Board of Trade is building a factory at Burnley for Michelin to employ about 500 and will start soon to build another factory for Burco Dean, also to employ 500. Milliards at Padiham are adding to the factory which we built for them, and some 300 further jobs should result from this.

With our help arrangements have been completed for three vacant mill premises, two of them at Nelson, to be taken over by firms from the South and these should give employment to about 1,400 persons.

Mr. Green

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate how well received this news will be in an area too long dependent upon one item of manufacture for its employment? May I urge him not to rest on the laurels that he has just gained?

Sir D. Eccles

Certainly. We have every intention of finding other firms to take over mill premises.