HC Deb 17 May 1962 vol 659 cc1510-1
8. Mr. Shinwell

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new industries have been brought into those parts of the County of Durham which are described as development districts since the Act setting up those areas was passed.

Mr. N. Macpherson

From 1st April, 1960, to 30th April, 1962, industrial development certificates issued for development districts in the County of Durham totalled sixty-nine, including six for firms new to these areas. In addition, three new firms were allocated Board of Trade factories.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that none of the sixty-nine has come to my area, which is included among the development districts? Why could we not have some of the sixty-nine?

Mr. Macpherson

I am afraid that I cannot tell the right hon. Gentleman without notice.

Mr. Shinwell

Then, will the hon. Gentleman look into the matter and on some future occasion advise me why we have been completely neglected?

Mr. Macpherson

The right hon. Gentleman must be aware that his area benefits, and is bound to do so, from developments in the area round about.

Commander Kerans

Is my hon. Friend aware that some of us in the North-East are not very enamoured of the results of the Local Employment Act and that I wish to emphasise again the vital necessity of getting new industries into the area of south-east Durham, especially my constituency, which has an unemployment rate of 6.4 per cent.?

Mr. Macpherson

I think that my hon. and gallant Friend's constituency has been a little more successful than that of the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell). All the same, we are continuing to do our best for both.