HC Deb 12 March 1959 vol 601 cc1441-3
29. Mr. Willey

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many people, men and women, respectively, were employed in the factories administered by the North-Eastern Trading Estates Limited, on the latest available date.

Sir D. Eccles

At November, 1958, 21,728 men and boys and 28,725 women and girls, in total 50,453, were employed in these factories.

Mr. Willey

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that these figures are far from satisfactory. We are disturbed that there has been a fall in employment, although slight, since the last figures were announced. Does he realise that we are facing particular difficulties in the North-East?

Sir D. Eccles

I am glad to say that thirty-one extensions of Board of Trade factories have been authorised in the North-East Development Area, and are being constructed.

Mr. Popplewell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many empty factories in the North-East, including one at Jarrow, and that we are considerably perturbed about the fall in employment in those areas? Cannot he do something to get industry back there again?

Sir D. Eccles

We are doing our best. That is one of the reasons why it is not wise to build an unlimited number of advance factories.

Mr. Osborne

Does not the President of the Board of Trade agree that, in view of the fact that we have to sell abroad 30 per cent. of what we make and that nobody can make the foreigner buy British, it is stupid to keep on saying "Build new factories" if we cannot sell what the factories produce?

Sir D. Eccles

My hon. Friend is quite right about the importance of exports.

Mr. Willey

Would the right hon. Gentleman not adopt such a pessimistic point of view and realise that the alternative is to have an expansionist policy?

30. Mr. Willey

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many people, men and women, respectively, were employed in the factories in Sunderland administered by the North-Eastern Trading Estates Limited on the latest available date.

Sir D. Eccles

At November, 1958, 2,254 men and boys and 2,773 women and girls, in total 5,027, were employed in these factories.

Mr. Willey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we very much appreciate that we have now been designated as a D.A.T.A.C. area? Can he further assist us in taking some local initiative? Perhaps his regional controller could come to Sunderland and see what assistance we can give ourselves in directing new industry there?

Sir D. Eccles

I shall be very glad to arrange for my regional controller to pay a visit to the area.