HC Deb 19 July 1967 vol 750 cc2106-7
38. Mr. David Watkins

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is being done to bring new employment to the Annfield Plain area of County Durham, where 300 to 400 miners may become redundant consequent upon reorganisation of the Morrison Busty Colliery.

Mr. Darling

Efforts to bring new industry and employment to the area, which have already achieved considerable success, will be continued.

Mr. Watkins

But is my right hon. Friend aware that two advance factories in this area—one at Hare Law and one approaching completion at Castleside—are untenanted? Will he treat the matter of finding tenants as one of urgency?

Mr. Darling

We are doing so, and we hope to obtain suitable tenants for the factories before very long.

Sir C. Osborne

In view of the unfortunate unemployment among redundant miners, may I ask what has become of the Government's promise of full employment for everybody?

Mr. Darling

That is precisely what we are trying to achieve. In the area to which my hon. Friend was referring, we must quickly provide about 1,500 jobs. That is the challenge to us, and we shall meet it.