§ 45. Mr. Fred Evansasked the Minister of Technology whether he will give an assurance that the factories scheduled for development at the Tudor Industrial Estate at Ystradmynach, Glamorgan, will go ahead as decided upon by the Board of Trade, Wales.
§ Mr. RidleyThis estate is being developed privately. We know of no reason why the three projects for which industrial development certificates have already been issued should not go ahead there. Further industrial development would be welcome on the site, and industrial development certificates would be freely available.
§ Mr. EvansIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this area is in a special development area with an incidence of male unemployment as high as 9 per cent.? Will he this afternoon give the House a categoric assurance that there will be no alteration in special development area policies, especially until the work embarked upon by the previous Government is completed and it is made a prosperous region like other regions of this country?
§ Mr. RidleyI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for not asking me to pronounce the name of the estate. Three substantial firms have already gone to the estate and have sought financial assistance from us. We believe that the site is sufficiently attractive to attract many more firms. We will certainly watch the position carefully.