§ 90. Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the widespread concern felt in South Wales at the high proportion of female labour to be employed in the new factories announced for that area; and whether he will take steps to ensure that further industrial projects for South Wales shall employ a large proportion of the available male labour.
§ Mr. Belcher:While it is satisfactory that plans for employing women in South Wales are so well developed, nevertheless the Government share the concern that so far there have been an insufficient number of projects put forward to employ mainly male labour in South Wales. The Board of Trade is doing its utmost to encourage such developments and will continue to bring to the notice of industrialists requiring new factory space the urgent need to provide work for men in South Wales.
§ 97. Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any proposals for the establishment of a factory or factories in South Wales for the production of mining machinery and colliery equipment.
§ Mr. Belcher:No proposals to establish factories in South Wales for this purpose have been brought to the notice of the Board of trade.
§ Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade what new industrial projects are contemplated between Neath and Llanelly in the South Wales development area; how many sites have been acquired for these undertakings; and what progress is being made in the construction of new factories.
§ Mr. Belcher:Neath: Two new industrial projects involving the provision of 55,000 sq. ft. factory space have been approved. One will be a factory to be built in advance of demand from a definite tenant. On further new industrial project involving the construction of a factory of 35,000 sq. ft. is contemplated. The sites have not yet been acquired, but it is hoped to commence building in August or September.
50WLlanelly: Approval has been given for the construction of a factory of 25,000 sq. ft. in advance of demand from a definite tenant. The site has not yet been acquired, but it is proposed to commence building in September. In addition, the iron and steel industry contemplate the construction of a cold rolling mill plant in the district.
Gorseinon: One new industrial project involving the construction of 100,000 sq. ft. of factory space has been approved. The site has not yet been acquired, but entry has been obtained and building operations commenced in February. The construction of two further factories comprising 65,000 sq. ft. is contemplated. The land has not yet been acquired, but it is hoped to commence building in July or August.
Pontardawe: One new industrial project involving the construction of a factory of 50,000 sq. ft. has been approved. The site has not yet been acquired, but it is hoped to commence building in September.
Fforest Fach Trading Estate, Swansea: A site of 230 acres is being acquired and clearance work on 17 acres has commenced. Nine new industrial projects on this site, involving the construction of factory space of 385,000 sq. ft., have been approved and building operations have begun on two of the factories.
Swansea:Six new industrial projects involving 178,000 sq. ft. of factory space have been approved All these are being financed privately and it is not possible to say whether the sites have actually been acquired, but building operations have started on three of the factories. In addition, the iron and steel industry contemplate the construction of a cold rolling mill plant in the district.
In addition to the above projected developments, a "standard" factory has been allocated at Neath and is already in production. At Llanelly, a Government owned factory, built during the war, has been allocated and is now engaged on civilian production. In addition, two firms, new to the district, have taken over existing buildings. At Swansea, a "standard" factory has been allocated to two firms who are now engaged on civilian production.