§ 37. Mr. Snowasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, arising out of the meeting held at Lichfield on 13th July, 1951, attended by a representative of his Department who agreed that there was a case for additional light industry at Burntwood, Staffordshire, and in view of the closing of Cannock Chase No. 3 1112 Pit and the present need for a more flexible industrial potential in the district, he will make a statement on the inquiries which he has received from suitable firms about the facilities available at Burntwood.
§ Mr. J. RodgersAs I told the hon. Member on 9th February, we should be glad to see suitable firms from the vicinity of Birmingham set up in the Burntwood district. Industrial development certificates totalling nearly one-quarter of a million square feet have been issued for projects in the locality in recent years.
§ Mr. SnowBe that as it may, he Government have now had eight years since a representative from the hon. Gentleman's Department visited the area, and virtually no employment for women has been provided, and the recent closure of the pit, as the result of the Government's economic policy, has made the male employment position even more serious.
§ Mr. RodgersAs I also informed the hon. Gentleman on 9th February, it is understood that, except for a small number of workers who will be retiring altogether or are unfit, all those who were unemployed at the Cannock Chase No. 3 pit have been found jobs by the National Coal Board within the Cannock Chase area. The position set out in the hon. Gentleman's Question, therefore, is not quite as serious as he alleges.
§ Mr. Snowis the hon. Gentleman aware that many people are now having to travel inordinate distances to other towns and that this is a real hardship? Will he do something about it?
§ Mr. RodgersWe are trying to induce footloose firms to go to areas of high unemployment.