§ 28. Miss Herbisonasked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to ensure that alternative employment is provided for the men who have become redundant as a result of the closure of Kingshill Colliery Number one.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth DunwoodyThe locality is in a Special Development Area and I hope that the additional assistance available to industry in these areas will encourage further development. The Harthill No. I advance factory has recently been allocated and the firm is now recruiting staff. Additional land is being bought, and as soon as this is acquired a start will be made on building a further advance factory.
§ Miss HerbisonI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is she aware that when this colliery closed about a fortnight ago, 91 men became redundant and that only four of them have found alternative work, which means that in an area where there was already more than 5 per cent. unemployment 87 more are unemployed? Will she realise how important it is that a second advance factory is built? Will she pay no attention to the arguments of Scottish hon. Members opposite?
§ Mrs. DunwoodyI am well aware of the enormous amount of work which my right hon. Friend has done herself on behalf of her constituency and I assure her that we shall do everything we can to facilitate the rapid building of this advance factory.