§ 57. Mr. Ainsleyasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the By-product Coke Works at Langley Park, in the North-West Durham constituency, has been scheduled to close down in March, involving some 250 workers; and what alternative work he expects will be available for these men.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonMy right hon. Friend is aware of this proposed closure. He understands that, while 150 workers will become redundant, there are sufficient vacancies at neighbouring coke works to absorb them all.
§ Mr. AinsleyIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is the second such plant which has closed in the last few months and the fourth such plant which has closed within the last two or three years in my constituency, apart from the mines, which are also closing? What does the President of the Board of Trade intend to do about providing work for the unemployed male population in the area? In the debate yesterday, a Government spokesman said that some progress has been made. Is this the sort of progress that we can expect?
§ Mr. MacphersonAs the hon. Gentleman is aware, my right hon. Friend is extremely sympathetic about these closures. He is also aware that industrialists have been to see sites in the area. It is for the industrialists themselves to choose whether they should go there or elsewhere.