HC Deb 08 December 1966 vol 737 c1550
12. Mr. Dalyell

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many square feet of advance factory space were unused at the last available date in the Bathgate area.

Mr. Darling

Forty thousand sq. ft. built by West Lothian County Council.

Mr. Dalyell

While cash grants and off-the-job adult retraining are excellent and relevant measures for the Bathgate area, where the situation has been greatly brightened by important orders from Finland, nevertheless, for these 40,000 sq. ft., cannot my right hon. Friend encourage import substitute industries?

Mr. Darling

Those six factories are on the Board of Trade's list and are drawn to the attention of industialists who are seeking factories in development areas.

With regard to import saving projects, I think that my hon. Friend will be aware that the appropriate economic development committees are considering projects on these lines, and we shall of course let them know about factories which may be available for this purpose.