§ 4. Mr. I. Daviesasked the President of the Board of Trade what success he has had in bringing new industry to the Pontardawe development district since the introduction of the Local Employment Act.
§ Mr. MaudlingIn the Ystalyfera-Pontardawe area itself, there are about 250 new jobs in prospect. Pontardawe should also benefit substantially from the 3,000 new jobs expected to arise in the Swansea area in the near future.
§ Mr. I. DaviesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the position in this area and the unemployment which has persisted there has been changed because large numbers of people travel long distances from the district to their employment? The threatened closure of the one remaining steelworks there as the result of the opening of Llanwern steelworks, which is reported to be opening next year, is very serious. Will the right hon. Gentleman redouble the efforts of his Department—which are appreciated—to bring new industries to cope with inevitable redundancy? Will he consider the establishment of an advance factory for this area?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am grateful for what the hon. Member said about the efforts we have made. I recognise that there is a great deal of travel to work involved. As to the steelworks, I understand that they will have to close down in a few years, but I do not expect any serious difficulty in placing the men involved in view of the extension of the numbers of men in employment in South Wales.