§ 23. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Technology what is the total number of male and female jobs, respectively, currently resulting from the establishment of advance factories allocated to Scotland in programmes announced since October, 1964; what has been the total cost of such factories to public funds to date; how many of them are currently untenanted; and what is the longest period of time for which a factory has been standing completed and unlet.
§ Mr. Varley55 Ministry of Technology advance factories have been authorised in Scotland since October, 1964. 43 of these have been completed and 32 have been allocated. Employment at present provided in these factories totals 2,830–1.080 men and 1,750 women. Many of these factories have still to recruit all the labour they will need. Up to 30th September, 1969. 23 expenditure—excluding cost of land—totalled £4,182,000. The longest period during which a factory has been vacant is three years.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that comprehensive reply. Could he tell the House what his predecessor at the Board of Trade never seemed able to tell the House, namely, the precise cost to public funds of each male job so far created in these factories?
§ Mr. VarleyI am afraid that I cannot. It is not possible to say what the average cost per job is.
§ Mr. James HamiltonWould my hon. Friend remind the House that when these firms go to development areas they employ only a relatively small number of people? As an instance, Honeywells started with 60 people and now employ close on 6.000 people in my constituency.
§ Mr. VarleyI am grateful for that information.