§ 81. Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the concern felt in South Wales at the slow rate of factory construction; and if there are any immediate prospects of an improvement in the position.
§ Sir S. CrippsProgress in factory construction in South Wales, as elsewhere, is affected by shortages of building materials, particularly structural steel. I am doing all I can to secure delivery of materials for factory construction, consistent with allocation for other essential requirements.
§ Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade how many factories have been constructed, or are in the course of construction, in the South Wales Development Area since August, 1945; and how many have been con- 244W structed, or are in course of construction in the Midlands region during the same period.
§ Sir S. CrippsIn the South Wales Development Area, 25 new factory buildings and extensions to existing factories, of an area of 5,000 square feet and over, were completed during the period 1st September, 1945, to 30th April, 1947. In the South Wales Development Area, there were under construction on 30th April, 1947, 107 new factories and extensions of 5,000 square feet and over; in addition, 34 factories were under construction in advance of specific demand from industrialists.
No figures are available in regard to the actual progress of construction and completion of factory buildings outside the development areas. During the period referred to, however, the construction of 88 new factories and 218 extensions to existing factories to provide work for about 28,000 people when in full production and cover over 7 million square feet were approved in the Midlands Region as compared with 120 new factories and 91 extensions to existing factories to employ about 53,000 persons and cover over 82 million square feet approved in the South Wales Development Area during the same period.