§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the names of firms which have now contracted to take factory space at East Kilbride; the area taken by each firm; the number of workers to be employed by each firm; and the date when each factory is expected to be completed.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe information is as follows:
Name of Employer Area of space taken (sq. ft.) Expected date of completion of building Rolls-Royce 631,000 Completed Hayward-Tyler 64,000 Aug., 1954 Galloway 21,000 Completed Portch 10,000 Sept., 1954 S.M.T. 14,000 Dec., 1955 Chieftain Bus Service 5,000 Dec., 1955 (1st Phase) County Council (Service Depot) 11,000 Dec., 1955 Department of Scientific and Industrial Research 190,000 Up to 10 years The ultimate employment capacity of these factories is estimated by the employers at about 4,700.
§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that there are only 6.6 shops per 1,000 population in East Kilbride compared with double that proportion in Paisley and Hamilton. where dwellings are sited at more than twice the density; and whether he will invite the development corporation to hasten the construction of more shops in the new housing areas at rentals more attractive to small private enterprise firms seeking to start business with a small amount of capital.
§ Mr. J. StuartI have recently approved proposals of the development corporation to increase the number of shops in East Kilbride and I understand that the corporation will be submitting further proposals this year. The development corporation must obtain economic rents for the shops which they build and these are let by competitive tender to trading interests seeking to set up business in the new town.