HC Deb 19 March 1959 vol 602 cc601-2
3. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the industrial prospects within the city of Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, respectively; what consideration he has given to the letter and resolution of the North Staffordshire Trades Council, forwarded to him by the hon. Member for Stoke, South; and what action will be taken.

Mr. J. Rodgers

There are no major industrial developments in the area to report, but since January unemployment in North Staffordshire has fallen by over 2.000, including nearly 1,400 in Stoke. I am hoping that this trend will continue. Meanwhile, we will continue to bring the facilities available in the area to the attention of industrialists.

Mrs. Slater

Even though unemployment in North Staffordshire may have fallen during the last few weeks—which is purely seasonal—does not the hon. Gentleman think that to an area such as North Staffordshire, which is dominated by pottery and mining, more ought to be done by his Department to try to send us other industries? What steps does he propose to take to encourage manufacturers to go there?

Mr. Rodgers

I am glad to be able to tell the hon. Lady that it is understood that the National Coal Board does not foresee any reduction in employment in the North Staffordshire coal mining industry. Since the summer of 1957, the Board of Trade has suggested to more than a dozen firms that North Staffordshire would be a suitable place for their development. Some have visited the area. One firm recently decided to set up there and an I.D.C. was issued this month.

5. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent his officials used their influence with the management of the Michelin Tyre Company not to carry out their extension in the city of Stoke-on-Trent; what representations the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent made to him for the retention of the proposed extension in the city; and, in view of the need for employment and diversification, on what grounds the decision was made.

Mr. J. Rodgers

I understand that the suggestion to locate this factory in a Development Area came from the company itself. They discussed the matter with our officials, and it was eventually agreed that the Board of Trade would build them a factory at Burnley. We have not received any representations from the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Am I correct in understanding that no representations were made to Board of Trade officials by the Lord Mayor? Can the Parliamentary Secretary explain to me why there are twice as many unemployed in Stoke-on-Trent as there are in Burnley? Will he give an assurance that nothing like this will occur in the future?

Mr. Rodgers

No communication was received from the Lord Mayor. A communication dated 23rd August, 1957, was received from the Town Clerk. Stoke-on-Trent has not been deprived of all the Michelin Company's expansion. An I.D.C. was given for an extension of 216,000 square feet after the decision to move part of the factory to Burnley was taken. This is estimated to employ a further 300 people.