§ 80. Mr. Willeyasked the President of the Board of Trade how many new factories have been licensed and commenced since 1st November, 1951, in the North-Eastern Development Area.
§ Mr. H. StraussAccording to the latest available information, building licences have been issued since 1st November, 1951, for one large new factory and 23 extensions exceeding 5,000 square feet to existing factories. Work has begun on the factory and on 10 of the extensions.
§ 81. Mr. Willeyasked the President of the Board of Trade what factors have caused the redundancy of 48 employees in the North-Eastern Trading Estate factories in Sunderland since May.
§ Mr. H. StraussI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the net fall in the numbers employed between 24th May and 30th August, 1952, as a result of decreases at some factories and increases at others. The decreases were due mainly to the Australian import restrictions and reduced activity in the clothing trade. An interim estimate of the total employed on 30th September shows an increase of 118 over the total on 30th August.