§ Mr. TAYLORasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will invite from local authorities, manufacturers' associations, and trades unions proposals for the establishment of new industries in areas suffering from abnormal unemployment; and whether he will compile an official list of local authorities who are prepared to offer special facilities for the development of new industries in their district?
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§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERWhile I appreciate the desire of the hon. Member to increase employment, I think the chief objective should be to secure more trade for existing factories and works which are so far short of their full capacity. I doubt, therefore, whether action on the lines suggested would be of value.
§ Mr. TAYLORasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give preference to applications, under the Trade Facilities Act, which have for their object the establishment of new industries in areas suffering from prolonged and abnormal unemployment?
Mr. GUINNESSThe Advisory Committee who consider applications for guarantees under the Trade Facilities Act pay very special attention to the state of unemployment in the industries and localities which will be affected by any proposed guarantee and, other things being equal, always prefer to recommend a guarantee for a district or an industry which is suffering from prolonged find abnormal unemployment.