HC Deb 09 July 1973 vol 859 c1013
18. Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he now expects to find a tenant for the advance factory at Lochlands, Falkirk.

Mr. Anthony Grant

An application is being considered.

Mr. Ewing

It is only one in a long list of applications which has been considered for this factory. The hon. Gentleman is aware from correspondence which has passed between us that there is grave apprehension on the part of Falkirk Town Council and the unemployed in Falkirk. Is he aware that it is thought that the Department of Trade and Industry is playing tricks with the factory by increasing the square foot rental of Lochlands factory and reducing the rental of other factories in Scotland so as to take the industries which might be interested in the Lochlands factory away from Loch-lands to other factories?

Mr. Grant

I assure the hon. Gentleman—I hoped that I had done so in our correspondence—that that is not true. Rents must automatically be reviewed periodically. It is the wish of my officials in Scotland and myself to work as closely as possible with the local authorities to try to ensure that the factory is occupied. I have confidence that we shall succeed in doing so.