HC Deb 23 April 1963 vol 676 cc18-9
26. Mr. Wainwright

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the closing down in the near future of the Imperial Chemical Industries' Westfalite factory in the Dearne Valley area, and the Ford Motor Company assembly plant in Doncaster, he will now schedule as a development district under the 1960 Local Employment Act the whole of south Yorkshire.

Mr. D. Price

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour said on 1st April, the Ford Motor Company has not yet reached a decision on the future of its plant. My right hon. Friend does not consider that the level of unemployment in this area, in comparison with other parts of the country, would justify listing it as a development district; but there is a need for more projects employing, women in the area, and he is prepared to approve suitable projects which cannot go to a development district.

Mr. Wainwright

Is the Minister aware that there is a strong suspicion in Yorkshire that the Government, by financial inducements, are encouraging businesses to move from Yorkshire to other parts of the country? Does not the Minister realise that new businesses and new jobs are required in this country instead of the transfer of work from one area to another, and that we hope he will do something to help Yorkshire instead of giving us mere promises?

Mr. Price

I am not aware that there has been any transfer of work on a major scale from the West Riding of Yorkshire to development districts. With regard to new industries going to development districts, that is implicit in the very concept of a development district.

Mr. Wainwright

Does not the transfer of the two plants mentioned in the Question mean that business will leave Yorkshire for some other part of the country? Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that the I.C.I. Westfalite plant has already bean transferred to Scotland, and that it is more than likely that the Ford Motor Company will transfer its Doncaster plant elsewhere? That is taking work out of Yorkshire, and as far as we are concerned we are not going to have it.