HC Deb 08 December 1966 vol 737 cc1555-6
19. Mr. Nott

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many privately-owned and advance factories have been established with Government assistance under regional development legislation in Cornwall, Penzance, St. Ives and Helston during the past six years; how many of these factories derived from inquiries first received after 31st October, 1964; and how many firm contracts have been entered into to build new factories in these places since that date.

Mr. Darling

Fifteen completed factory projects in Cornwall—about 287,000 sq. ft. in total—have been established with Government assistance under the Local Employment Acts; two of these projects are in Penzance, one in Helston and none in St. Ives. No record is available about inquiries for particular areas. Since October, 1964, contracts have been placed for four factories built by the Board of Trade; I have no information about contracts placed by other organisations.

Mr. Nott

Does the Minster agree that now that cash grants in development areas have been raised to 45 per cent. it merely restores investment incentives in development areas to the position in which they were before 1964, considered on a cash flow basis? Will he pay particular attention to the need to encourage industry to move into these areas, in view of the fact that unemployment is now higher in some parts of the county than it has been since the war.

Mr. Darling

We are well aware of the need for additional employment in Cornwall. That is why we have extended the development area. The new cash grants which will be made available should be a great inducement to firms to go to that area. We have built and are building factories in the area, and are hoping to find suitable tenants.

Dr. John Dunwoody

Does my right hon. Friend not agree that the main concern in Cornwall is the difficulty of finding tenants for some of the Board of Trade advance factories? I should be grateful if his Department would consider taking further action as soon as possible to find tenants for the factories which are being built and those which are being planned.

Mr. Darling

Yes.