§ 26. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the advance factories which are now under construction in the South Yorkshire area; and if he will now give instructions for another advance factory to be built in the Dearne Valley constituency.
§ Mr. David MitchellOne factory is under construction at Hellaby, Rotherham. Land is still being sought for a factory at Mexborough.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes the Under-Secretary accept that it is no good building advance factories unless jobs are created? Is he aware that, in spite of an advance factory being built in Denaby, it took years to persuade business people to go there and take advantage of it? Only one small business went there and it created only 16 jobs. Will the Minister ensure that more factories are built in that area and that more jobs are created? Is he aware that the unemployment rate in the Dearne Valley district has been 23 10 per cent. for years? Does he agree that Tory Party philosophy has never lowered that rate?
§ Mr. MitchellIt is not a question of factories alone. There are vacant factories not far away. It is important to create a climate in which people will set up businesses and occupy those factories. The failure in the past was the responsibility of the Labour Party.