§ 3. Mr. Dempseyasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will build a new factory at Greenhill Industrial 1749 Estate, on the remainder of the site available, in view of the failure to induce other enterprises to build.
§ Mr. ErrollI do not accept the imputation of failure on the part of the Board of Trade to secure development of the Coatbridge estate. Three firms already have factories there and we shall be glad to consider building further factories for any suitable applicants.
§ Mr. DempseyIs the Minister aware that there is a remaining part of the site undeveloped and that both the town council and others interested, including his own Scottish controller, have done their very utmost to induce firms to erect a factory or factories on this part of the site? Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, in this day, the fact that we have failed to build a factory proves conclusively that there is need for direct Government action to provide that factory in order to relieve the high unemployment rate in the district?
§ Mr. ErrollI would remind the hon. Gentleman that we are building two Board of Trade advance factories not far from Coatbridge. As regards the Coatbridge estate itself, we are building a new road which will open up sites for three more factories.
§ Mr. DempseyWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that travelling to work is all very well when it cannot be avoided, but where it is avoidable then, surely, it is the duty of the Minister to provide factories on the people's doorstep?