§ 22. Mr. Milneasked the President of the Board of Trade what is now the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to industrial expansion and the provision of employment in those areas, such as the Blyth constituency, where there is a shortage of work.
§ Mr. ErrollOur policy continues to be to promote employment in those localities, of which Blyth is one, in which high and persistent unemployment exists or is threatened.
§ Mr. MilneIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the pleasure being expressed in the North-East at the announcement of the intention to build an advance factory in Durham and one in Northumberland and that our people are still watching his Department with very keen interest and hope to have some signs of progress before the House returns in October?
§ Mr. ErrollI am grateful for the hon. Member's remarks. I gladly give him and other hon. Members an assurance that we shall do our best to help the north-east area.
§ Mr. PopplewellIs the President aware that the announcement made by his hon. Friend in reply to the debate on Tuesday night about only two advance factories in Durham and Northumberland has caused widespread dismay that there is not much greater activity by his Department to provide jobs for some 40,000 people in the area who are unemployed?
§ Mr. ErrollWe have done a great deal in addition to providing advance factories, as the figures demonstrate.