§ 15. Mr. Daggarasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of new factories and extensions approved by his Department in course of erection and completed, respectively; the number of each in Great Britain and in each of the development areas, respectively; the number of persons employed in these undertakings; and the total potential employment in, respectively, Great Britain and the development areas from 31st July, 1945, to 31st May, 1947.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe total number of new factories and extensions of 5,000 square feet, or over, approved in Great Britain during the period 31st July, 1945, to 30th April, 1947 (the latest date for which information is available) is 2,483, of which 770 were in the development areas. It is estimated that when all these factories are in full production they will employ 159,940 men and boys and 129,240 women 127W and girls, of which 76,380 men and boys and 75,320 women and girls will be employed in the development areas. Of the 770 new factories and extensions of 5,000 square feet and over approved in the development areas, 138 had been completed, or the firm was in occupation, by 30th April, 1947. Four hundred and sixty-one were in course of erection on that date. Statistics in regard to the current employment in the completed factories and extensions in the development areas are not readily available, but are being compiled, and I will send the information to my hon. Friend as soon as possible. Similar information in regard to factory building outside the development areas is not available.
§ 16. Mr. Daggarasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the number of factories built by the Commissioners for Special Areas and the number of Royal Ordnance Factories taken over, other Government factories taken over, wartime factories in Great Britain and the Development Areas, respectively, from 31st July, 1945, to 31st May, 1947, together with the number of persons employed and the total potential employment in those factories in Great Britain and the development areas, respectively.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo factories have been built by the Commissioners for Special Areas since June, 1945, when the Distribution of Industry Act was passed repealing the Special Areas (Development and Improvement) Acts, 1934 and 1937. Following are particulars about Government factories which have been allocated for civilian production since 31st July, 1945, to the latest date for which the information is available.
During the period 31st July, 1945, to 30th April, 1947, 52 factories were completed by the Board of Trade under the provisions of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945. The number of Royal Ordnance Factories allocated for civilian production between 31st July, 1945, and 30th April, 1947, totalled 13, of which eight are in the development areas. The employment being provided in the eight factories in the development areas on 31st March, 1947, was 11,000 men and women against an employment potential of 28,000 when they are in full production. The potential employment of the Royal 128W Ordnance Factories allocated outside the development areas is 8,500 men and women, but no figures are available in regard to current employment.
The number of other Government owned factories allocated for civilian production between 31st July, 1945, and 30th April, 1947, totalled 256, of which 48 are in the development areas. The employment being provided in the factories in the development areas at 31st March, 1947, was approximately 18,000 men and women against an employment potential of 45,000 men and women when they are in full production. The potential employment of other Government factories allocated outside the development areas is 000,000 men and women, but no figures are available in regard to current employment. The 16 wartime "standard" factories in the development areas were all allocated before the 31st July, 1945, but only one had been completed by that date. Employment at 31st March in these factories totalled 6,520 men and women against an employment potential of 12,000 men and women when in full production.