§ 1. Mr. McKayasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the area of the various sites for trade purposes in Northumberland; why business firms have not yet contracted for their use; and how many more trade sites are now being prepared.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Niall Macpherson)The area of the various sites designated for industrial development in Northumberland is given in the booklet produced by the Northumberland County Council, a copy of which was sent to the hon. Member on the occasion of his previous 250 Question on this subject on 5th June. A number of these sites are being used by business firms. The preparation of additional sites is a matter for the Northumberland County Council, but my right hon. Friend is satisfied that industrial development in Northumberland is not being held up through any shortage of suitable sites.
Mr. MacKayDoes the Minister realise that by this Question I am trying to give him an opportunity to advertise Northumberland? We hope that businessmen sometimes read HANSARD. We ask the Minister to do everything he can to advertise the position in Northumberland; that there are sites and any amount of people still out of work there, and we are anxious to have Northumberland developed.
§ Mr. MacphersonI quite agree with the hon. Member that there are plenty of sites available in Northumberland, and we hope they will be developed.