HC Deb 18 January 1971 vol 809 c496
10. Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will outline the steps his Department is taking to help find new occupants for the various large modern industrial premises at present vacant on Merseyside.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The Department maintains an up-to-date register of available industrial premises in the assisted areas, including Merseyside, and provides detailed information about them to firms seeking such premises.

Mr. Tilney

In view of the heavy unemployment on Merseyside, will my hon. Friend bear in mind that four large ex-heavy-engineering factories with 1.4 million sq. ft. of space are vacant, and will he undertake a special campaign both here and overseas to get these premises occupied?

Mr. Grant

I am aware of the premises to which my hon. Friend refers. I can understand his concern about unemployment, though it is perhaps slightly marginally worse in other areas. My Department is doing everything possible to bring these premises to the notice of interested firms. We have an advertising campaign, and our regional offices keep bringing the position to the attention to all who make inquiries. We have already had some inquiries from the United States and Europe.