§ 23. Mr. Shortasked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the disposal of Government-owned factories on the Team Valley Trading Estate and elsewhere in the North-East to private firms.
§ 24. Mr. Greyasked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the disposal of Government-owned factories on the trading estates of Spennymoor and Dragonville, Durham, and elsewhere in the North-East, to private firms.
§ Mr. MaudlingNone at present. But the Government have always been, and will continue to be, ready to consider selling factories to suitable applicants.
§ Mr. ShortIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are glad to have the assurance contained in the first part of his reply? Is he also aware that Government-owned factories have been a major element in absorbing redundancy in the North-East, and that if the Government dispose of them they will be throwing away one of the most useful weapons for dealing with redundancies?
§ Mr. MaudlingWe shall have to look at this matter very carefully, but if a 590 sitting tenant wishes to buy one of these Government-owned factories he is more likely to provide permanent than temporary employment.
§ Mr. GreyIs the Minister aware that any threat to Government-owned factories would be absolutely deplorable? In the past they have provided work for thousands of people in the North-East, and it would be disastrous to sell them to private enterprise. It would be turning the clock back thirty years.
§ Mr. MaudlingWe certainly would not take any action in this regard which was contrary to our general policy of trying to encourage employment in these areas.