§ 42. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the date when the building of the new advance factory, in the Mexborough Employment Exchange area, will be completed.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantI expect completion by early June, 1972.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that unemployment in this area totals 8 per cent., and could he say how many males and females will be employed in this factory? Has any employer applied to take over the factory? Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that the delay which is being experienced is helping to create more unemployment in the Dearne Valley district, which is an important part of the South Yorkshire coalfield, and that the Government are doing their best to hamper and hinder the miners in their application for a decent wage?
§ Mr. GrantThe reason for delay in building the site was that, on investigation, the original site was found to be unsuitable and an alternative site had to be found. There have been seven inquiries for this site and it has been suggested to those inquiring that a unit of this size would normally be expected to employ about 60 people.