§ 8. Mr. Jayasked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of Government-financed factories now building in development districts; how this compares with a year ago; and what additional steps he proposes to take in Scotland and on the North-East Coast in particular, in view of rising unemployment in those regions.
§ Mr. D. PriceThe estimated total value of Government-financed factories under construction in development districts and associated travel-to-work areas in October, 1961, was £16.9 million. The corresponding figure for October, 1962, was £15.2 million. As my right hon. Friend announced on 8th November, the Government have decided to build a further nine advance factories in Scotland and north-east England.
§ Mr. JayIn spite of that, do not the Minister's figures, showing a drop, represent a rather disappointing picture? Do not the large number of Questions on the Order Paper today show that there is widespread and deep anxiety about rising unemployment in all these areas and that in most people's opinion the Board of Trade has so far taken quite inadequate action?
§ Mr. PriceThe drop in the figures from 1961 to this year arises, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, from the slowing down in the expansion of industry and investment. My right hon. Friend is just as concerned as the right hon. Gentleman about the increase in unemployment.
§ Mr. JayIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that it is the job of the President of the Board of Trade not just to be concerned but to do something about it?