§ 3. Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many advance or other factories were built by the Government or through Government agencies in the Mid-Wales Development Association's area during the year 1971.
§ The Minister of State, Welsh Office (Mr. David Gibson-Watt)Three factories were completed and work on seven others, including two groups of nursery factories, were started.
§ Mr. HoosonBut is it not right that there has been a distinct slowing up of the programme of advance factories, which have been extremely beneficial in mid-Wales, and that the seven factories in process of erection are, save for one, all nursery factories on very small sites?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThe programme of advance factories is reasonably good, and I do not think one could say that mid-Wales was lagging behind in this respect.
§ 8. Mr. Alec Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many advance factories in Wales he has visited during the past 12 months.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThree.
§ Mr. JonesWill the Minister convey to his right hon. and learned Friend the serious concern felt in many parts of Wales about the number of advance factories that are empty? Will he urge his right hon. and learned Friend to visit not only those now tenanted but also all 972 those in Wales which are still empty and, having visited them, to do something about finding tenants for them?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThe hon. Gentleman will probably be aware that 15 advance factories have been completed in Wales in the last two years and that 11 are now being built or are in the planning stage. Certainly with regard to those that are not filled, it is the Government's intention—which the Government have shown in their latest policies—that by raising the level of investment it is hoped to find tenants for more of these advance factories.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganHow many of the advance factories now in course of construction were announced during the period of the previous Administration? When does the Minister hope that his Government will be able to match the average of about 10 advance factories a year which were announced and built by the previous Government?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThe answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question is "Not without notice." The answer to the second part is that, while recognising that advance factories have a definitive place in increasing employment, there are other methods which the Government are adopting and have adopted.