§ 21. Dr. Broughtonasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has been taking to induce new and expanding industries in Batley and Morley to move to other parts of the country.
§ Sir D. EcclesAs employment in Batley and Morley has been high, my officers have discussed with expanding firms the possibility of their going to a place where unemployment is serious.
§ Dr. BroughtonMay I take it, then, that the right hon. Gentleman admits trying to induce some industries to move out of my constituency? Is he aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade has sent a letter to more than 60,000 managing directors stating that the Government are offering special inducements to industries to move to Scarborough, Bridlington, Blackpool, Rhyl and other seaside resorts, and mentioning that substantial grants to industries willing to set up elsewhere are offered? Further, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of those letters have been sent to firms in Batley and Morley where there is already serious unemployment which is causing grave 608 concern? Is not it his business to improve conditions in the West Riding of Yorkshire and not to rob us of industry and make unemployment worse? How dare the right hon. Gentleman come and trespass—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I think that the hon. Gentleman made his point.
§ Sir D. EcclesI am glad to say that unemployment in the hon. Gentleman's constituency is well below the national average. If we do not discuss moving with firms which are in constituencies with high employment, how are we to get anyone to go to the areas where unemployment is serious?
§ Dr. BroughtonOn a point of order. This is a very serious matter. The Minister is taking steps which can make unemployment in my constituency worse, and I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.