25. Mr. Wileyasked the Postmaster-General what is the total value of contracts placed by his Department in the Northern Region this year; and how this compares with the corresponding figures for 1964, 1965, and 1966, respectively.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI am sorry that separate figures are not kept for the Northern Region of the country. Our 1471 major plant suppliers have nine factories in the Northern Development Area. We do not know what proportion of our orders was manufactured in those factories. Nationally, however, we estimate that over 40 per cent. of these orders—worth some £50 million a year at present—are in the development areas.
Mr. WileyIs my right hon. Friend aware—I am sure that he is—that these factories are important to the North-East? Can he assure me that he is having discussions with the firms concerned to ensure that they give the fullest employment possible?
§ Mr. ShortMy Department is currently discussing the question with the major plant suppliers. I must pay tribute to them. In the last two or three years, they have been extremely co-operative in setting up factories in development areas, and not least in the Northern Development Area. We are discussing the matter with them to see what further steps they can take.