HC Deb 28 July 1959 vol 610 c310
39. Miss Herbison

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take to prepare sites and build factories to attract industrialists to the area near the steel strip mill at Gartcosh, Lanarkshire.

Mr. J. Rodgers

As I told the hon. Lady on 9th June, I have made it known as widely as possible that in all suitable cases factories will be provided and applications for grants or loans considered for firms which will set up or expand in this area or anywhere in North Lanarkshire and we are continuing to seek out and encourage firms to go to these places.

Miss Herbison

Is the Minister aware that employment in this part of the steel strip mill will be only 50 per cent. of the men who were originally employed by this firm? Does not that make it all the more important that the Board of Trade, particularly, should be preparing beforehand so that there will be industrialists ready to take up the slack in labour?

Mr. Rodgers

I greatly appreciate what the hon. Lady has said and we are doing our very best to steer firms there just now.