§ 21. Mr. Will Owen asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in finding tenants for advanced factories at Ashington, Northumberland.
§ Mr. DarlingBoth factories have been brought to the attention of a number of firms. One firm has expressed interest in the smaller factory, but so far there have been no applications for tenancy.
§ Mr. OwenWhile I thank my hon. Friend and his Department for their initiative in the development of these advanced factories, is he aware of the increasing unemployment in the area? If private enterprise fails to take advantage of the existing facilities, will the Government take action in introducing a growth industry there?
§ Mr. DarlingThe second part of my hon. Friend's Question concerns something we are prepared to consider at any time. I think that the fact that we have to face is the need to provide about 800 jobs. The second factory, which is the larger one, will be completed in a few months' time and will, we hope, prove the magnet to attract new industry to the Ashington area.
§ Sir J. EdenBefore building these factories, what study is made of the number of companies likely to become tenants and the nature of their requirements?
§ Mr. DarlingIt is not specific for any individual factory, but the Board of Trade has a great deal of information about the inquiries made by firms all over the country covering practically every industry. We hope that from that information we can get people to go to the areas we wish them to go to.