HC Deb 19 March 1959 vol 602 cc614-5
20. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the President of the Board of Trade what applications have been received in the past year for the tenancies of the empty Government-financed factories on the North Tees Trading Estate, Stockton-on-Tees; and how many factories are now empty.

Mr. J. Rodgers

Two applications were received during the past year. One of these was withdrawn and the other resulted in a new lease. There is at prsent empty one factory and a small partitioned area in another factory which is suitable only for storage.

Mr. Chetwynd

Will the hon. Gentleman now consider allowing the other factory, which I understand withdrew its application, to have the extension which it so greatly needs?

Mr. Rodgers

I will certainly look into that point.

21. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give financial assistance to enable a firm in Stockton-on-Tees, which has had to close, to be kept on a care and maintenance basis until a revival of trade enables it to go into production again.

Mr. J. Rodgers

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has no power to do this.

Mr. Chetwynd

In view of the fact that we are likely to lose this firm permanently unless it can be kept on a care and maintenance basis, would the hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to seek powers to enable him to do this?

Mr. Rodgers

I have every sympathy with the hon. Gentleman in his problem, but I am afraid that we have no powers to do so, and we cannot seek special powers for this one case.