§ 31. Mr. Manuelasked the President of the Board of Trade what factors he takes into consideration when deciding where advance factories are to be sited.
§ Mr. D. PriceI would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply on 15th November to the hon. Member for Cleveland (Mr. Proudfoot) and to his supplementary answers at that time.
§ Mr. ManuelCan the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House what weighting is given to high and persistent unemployment in any particular area? Is he aware that I am delighted at his late conversion to the need for an advance factory at Kilwinning Industrial Estate, which has now been conceded despite the fact that the hon. Gentleman rejected the suggestion in an Adjournment debate only a short time ago?
§ Mr. PricePolicies always develop. In reply to the substantive part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, of course high and persistent unemployment is one of the most important factors which come into consideration. There are, however, a number of other factors, of which, I think, the most important is that if an advance factory is being put up there should be reasonable expectation that it will be possible to get a tenant for it. One does not help an area by putting up an advance factory if one cannot get a tenant to come to occupy it.
§ Mr. ManuelIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I gave him that assurance? I quoted the fact that only three miles distant, Irvine Town Council had got over 20 firms into its industrial estate
§ would reveal details of individual applications.
§ and that it was no use the Government's industrial estate lying with one factory on it and the Government making no attempt and letting a burgh council show them how to attract industry to the area.
§ Mr. PriceThe hon. Gentleman may take it that some of the things mentioned in that debate were taken into consideration by my right hon. Friend in working out this further programme of advance factories.