HC Deb 01 April 1958 vol 585 cc124-7W
91. Mr. Idwal Jones

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the date on which he had negotiations with a foreign chemical firm about the establishment of a new works in Wales.

92. Mr. P. Morris

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will indicate the site and nature of the industry reluctant to come to Wales.

93 and 94. Mr. D. J. Williams

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what application he has received from a foreign chemical firm to build a factory in west South Wales;

(2) in what part of Wales proposals have been made by a foreign chemical firm to build a factory.

101. Mr. G. Roberts

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the present position of negotiations for the establishment of a chemical works at Glynllifon Park, Caernarvon.

104. Lady Megan Lloyd George

asked the President of the Board of Trade which chemical company has inquired about sites in Carmarthenshire and in Wales, respectively.

Sir D. Eccles

As the House is aware, Ashburton Chemicals, a British subsidiary of a foreign chemical firm, has been considering for some time the possibility of setting up a factory in Caernarvonshire. The Board of Trade will continue in close touch with this firm to do all it can to overcome the remaining difficulties in the way of completing the arrangements for the factory. One other chemical firm is known to the Board of Trade to be at present actively considering sites in other parts of Wales.

Mr. Ness Edwards

95, 96 and 97. asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will consult the National Coal Board about the use of his powers under the Distribution of Industry Act for the purpose of levelling the old tips at Pontlothyn, Glamorgan, to permit of the establishment of a new industry;

(2) if he will consult the National Coal Board about the use of his powers under the Distribution of Industry Act for the purpose of clearing the site of the derelict Senghenydd Colliery in South Wales;

(3) if he will use his powers under the Distribution of Industry Act to clear any industrial sites that may become vacant as a result of Government policy.

Sir D. Eccles

I am ready to consider using my powers under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, in those parts of the Development Areas where unemployment is high and industrial development is being hindered by lack of suitable sites or available factory space.

But until I have firm evidence that industrial development in South Wales is being held up by lack of suitable sites, I should not be justified in using my powers in either of the two cases mentioned; indeed, there is a vacant Government factory at Cymmer.

98. Mr. Idwal Jones

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many firms have made inquiries for industrial sites in the Welsh Development Areas during the last twelve months.

102. Mr. C. Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many firms have made inquiries for industrial sites in Wales during the last twelve months.

Sir D. Eccles

My Department has received about 50 inquiries for industrial sites and premises in Wales in the last twelve months. Most of the inquiries relate to the South Wales Development Areas.

100. Mr. T. W. Jones

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to encourage firms to establish factories in North Wales.

Sir D. Eccles

My regional controllers are on the watch for industrialists who might go to North West Wales and the Controller for the Midlands has recently visited the area to see for himself what the opportunities are.

103. Mr. C. Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade how far the Government's policy of curtailing capital expenditure has limited industrial expansion in Wales during the last two years.

Sir D. Eccles

It is impossible to identify the effect, if any, of credit restrictions on industrial expansion in Wales. But the area of new industrial space in Wales for which location approval was given by the Board of Trade in 1956 and 1957 was 73 per cent. higher than in 1954 and 1955.

105. Lady Megan Lloyd George

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new industries have been introduced into South Wales in the last year.

Sir D. Eccles

Four new firms started production in the South Wales and Monmouthshire Development Area in 1957.

106 and 107. Mr. Watkins

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will advise industrialists or local people in the area to set up light industries in the mid-Wales towns as a measure to combat the depopulation of some of the nearby rural areas; and what proposals he has had from the Welsh Board of Industry to do this;

(2) whether he will press upon the Welsh Board of Industry to advise him as to suitable areas in mid-Wales to receive industrialists interested in products of afforestation and chemicals which may be of benefit to the agricultural industry.

Sir D. Eccles

Yes. I am bringing these areas to the notice of industrialists proposing to set up suitable small undertakings. It is encouraging that the Board of Trade have been able to interest a few small firms in these places and we will continue our efforts.

I have had no specific proposals for projects from the Welsh Board for Industry which is well aware of the efforts my Department has been and is making. I shall, however, bring the hon. Member's interest in suitable development of these areas to the Board's notice.

108. Mr. S. O. Davies

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that industrial firms have expressed their refusal to settle in Wales, because of political considerations, what plans Her Majesty's Government have for encouraging the growth of industry in areas where unemployment is marked.

Sir D. Eccles

Where there is marked unemployment within a Development Area I am ready to use the powers under the Distribution of Industry Acts. There is no doubt that a declaration by the Labour Party that nationalisation in any form will not appear in their programme would stimulate confidence in both British and foreign firms to extend their industrial capacity in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Robens

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether the foreign chemical firm, which recently felt unable to establish a factory in Wales, intended to base its chemical production on oil or coal;

(2) whether the foreign chemical firm, which recently made inquiries with a view to setting up production in Wales, intended to supply chemicals to the British home market, the export market, or both.

Sir D. Eccles

This firm's intentions have been discussed in confidence with the Board of Trade, and I should not regard it as desirable to reveal them at this stage, but I can say that the intention is to export as well as manufacture for the home market.