§ 29. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Industry Trade and Regional Development, what progress he has made in finding an occupant for the vacant Salt Saltaire factory at Carlisle Road, Airdrie; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DempseyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not good enough? Is he aware that figures published in the OFFICIAL REPORT yesterday indicated that more than 5 per cent. of the insurable population are unemployed in this part of Lanarkshire? In view of the right hon. Gentleman's failure to find a tenant for this factory, is it not about time that he took it over himself and let it at concessionary rentals, simply because it will be more sensible to put the unemployed to work in a comparatively new factory before it deteriorates?
§ Mr. HeathI have already explained to the House and the hon. Member that it is not suitable for us to take over as an advanced factory. On the other hand, if there is a specific request for it I will consider it. This factory is brought to the notice of all industrialists in exactly the same way as are our own factories, because of the position which the hon. Member has described, but I cannot force people to make inquiries.