HC Deb 23 March 1961 vol 637 cc566-7
29. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Prinlaws Mills in Leslie, Fife, have been standing empty for a number of years and that this represents a high rating loss to the burgh of Leslie; and whether any offers have recently been made for the premises.

Mr. Maudling

The Board has so far received no enquiries for the premises.

Mr. Hamilton

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that these premises have stood empty for quite a long while and that the Leslie Burgh Council, which is quite a small authority, can ill afford to lose the money involved? Does he further realise that the employment facilities in the area are in any case very restricted? In these circumstances, will he and his Department do everything they can to advertise the very advantageous facilities offered by these mills and help the local authority to get a tenant?

Mr. Maudling

I should certainly be very happy to see a tenant taking over these mills. As far as advertising is concerned, the hon. Member is certainly helping in that direction.

30. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much factory space is currently lying idle in the county of Fife; and what steps are being taken to secure tenants.

Mr. Maudling

There is no obligation upon firms to report empty factory space to the Board of Trade, but the Controller for Scotland has knowledge of 423,080 square feet of factory space in Fife at present vacant. The Board continues to draw the attention of suitable industrialists to these empty premises.

Mr. Hamilton

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his advertising of these premises and others in the United Kingdom is any better than it was when the Estimates Committee reported on the complete inadequacy of the pamphlet issued by his Department to encourage foreign investors to come to this country? Is it not quite scandalous that there should be such an amount of factory space idle in Fife when the unemployment figures are so high?

Mr. Maudling

No, Sir. We are quite content to be judged by the number of new jobs being created in Scotland at the present moment.

Mr. Hamilton

I am asking about Fife.