§ 4. Mr. T. Brownasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the financial consequences which have been suffered by the town of Ashton-in-Makerfield due to the closing of deep coal mines in that area, which has meant a loss of rateable value over the past few years of over £18,000; and what action he is taking to attract more industry to the area to alleviate the hardship.
§ Mr. MaudlingI am aware that a number of coal mines have been closed recently in this area, but my powers under the Local Employment Act to promote employment are limited to areas where high and persistent unemployment exists or is expected. Ashton-in-Makerfield, with a current rate of unemployment of 1.5 per cent., is, I am glad to say, very far from this situation. I should, however, be prepared to see new industry introduced into this area if it were unable to move to areas of substantially higher unemployment.
§ Mr. BrownIs not the Department or the right hon. Gentleman aware of what is really happening in that locality? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that what we term industrial paralysis is creeping in and that by the summer of next year the only pit in that district will have gone out of commission? Is he aware that this is having a serious effect on the economic position of three townships which are named in a later Question—Ashton-in-Makerfield, Ince-in-Makerfield 1193 and Abram? Will not the right hon. Gentleman try to do something through the medium of his Department to direct industry into these towns?
§ Mr. MaudlingWe have no powers to direct industry and our powers to induce industry are rightly concentrated on areas where the need is greatest. As I have said, in this area there is only 1.5 per cent. unemployment and I understand that Wigan and St. Helens are within five miles of the district and that a large number of new jobs is in prospect in both those towns.
§ 7. Mr. T. Brownasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will render all the help he can to the Lancashire and Merseyside Industrial Development Association in their endeavours to bring light industries into the areas of Ashtonin-Makerfield, Ince-in-Makerfield and Abram at the earliest possible date.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe Board's encouragement of new industrial development must be directed primarily to areas of high unemployment; but I welcome the efforts of the Lancashire and Merseyside Industrial Development Association to bring new industry to Lancashire, and my officials are in close touch with them.
§ Mr. BrownWill not the right hon. Gentleman use his influence and render all the help he can when suggestions are put before his Department to help what in a few months' time will be forgotten areas?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not accept that premise at all. We will certainly do all we can to help, but I emphasise once again that the whole purpose of the Local Employment Act, which defines my powers in these matters, is to concentrate our efforts, first of all, on the areas where the need is greatest.