§ 8. Mr. Greyasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will enumerate the number of industrial projects which are proposed to be established in the administrative County of Durham during the next twelve months.
§ Mr. MaudlingTwenty-eight industrial building projects of more than 5,000 square feet are under construction in the administrative County of Durham. According to the estimates of the firms concerned, these projects should provide over 2½ mililon square feet of new factory space and over 4,000 new jobs.
§ Mr. GreyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that what he has said merely touches the skin of the whole problem? Is he aware that there is greater uncertainty in the County of Durham now than ever before, so much so that many people are leaving the area in search of jobs? Will he study the problem and make a further attack on the problem of unemployment in the county and see that there is more expansion of factories in the area?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am well aware of the difficulties in the county. I agree, as I have already said, that there is a very long way to go yet, but I hope in exchange that the hon. Member will not underestimate the fact that quite a lot has already been done.