HC Deb 14 March 1963 vol 673 cc1503-4
8. Mr. Shinwell

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether be has proposals for the construction of advance factories in the new town of Peterlee in County Durham.

Mr. Erroll

As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for Science announced last week, consideration is being given to the possibility of building more advance factories in North-East England. No decisions as to sites can be taken at this stage.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this new town is very attractive and that there is an ample supply of labour available there? Can he account for the delay in constructing advance factories there? Is he aware that Peterlee is becoming almost a dormitory and that that is a serious situation for the whole area?

Mr. Erroll

I must take into account the rate at which advance factories at present under construction are likely to be let.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. Gentleman do something to deal with the rising rate of unemployment in the area? If he is not prepared to do something about advance factories, what is he prepared to do in order to help?

Mr. Erroll

I am prepared to use other facilities under the Act, such as building factories for the specific requirements of individual industrialists.

Mr. P. Williams

Is there any reason why the Board of Trade should not be more positive in selling advance factories to tenants and using the cash for further building?

Mr. Erroll

We are always ready where appropriate to consider the sale of a factory to the existing tenant if he so desires, but the feed-back of such funds is not related to the amount of money the Government are prepared to spend on new factory development.