HC Deb 21 October 1937 vol 327 cc45-6W
David Adams

asked the Minister of Labour how many sites and factories, respectively, have been provided by site-finding companies and taken over for new industries in the special areas of county Durham?

Mr. E. Brown

I presume the hon. Member is referring sites and factories provided by, or with the assistance of, the Commissioner for the Special Areas as the provisions relating to site companies do not apply in those areas. The position at the end of September on the Team Valley Estate, operated by North Eastern Trading Estates Limited, was that there were 22 factories built and occupied and 34 in course of construction, while a number of negotiations for further factories were in progress. The Commissioner has recently arranged to purchase the site of Palmer's Works at Jarrow with a view to the establishment thereon of a steel works. He is also in course of acquiring a site at Pallion, in Sunderland, which will be administered on his behalf by North Eastern Trading Estates Limited. One tenant has already arranged for a factory on this site, and negotiations are proceeding with others. The Commissioner has also in hand an important project for the clearance of a site at Gateshead, formerly accommodating large chemical works, which has been acquired by the Gateshead Corporation with the aid of grants from the Special Areas Fund, with a view to subsequent development.

I may also refer to the large scheme being carried out by the South Shields County Borough Council with substantial assistance from the Commissioner, which provides for the clearance of an area of about 35 acres. A further scheme to be undertaken by that Authority, involving the clearance of an additional 21 acres is also under consideration. Assistance has also been given to the Tyne Improvement Commissioners for the clearance of sites at Hebburn and in the Albert Edward Dock. The Commissioner has also before him proposals submitted by the South West Durham Improvement Association, which has recently been set up for the purpose of clearing sites and carrying out other improvements in the south west part of the country.