HC Deb 22 October 1973 vol 861 cc359-60W
39. Mr. James Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Government factories are empty in the Bothwell constituency.

Mr. Chataway

There are six Department of Trade and Industry factories available in the six employment exchange areas into which the Bothwell constituency extends.

PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN PRICES OF MAJOR INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM
Past 27 months (June 1971 to September 1973) Past 17 months (April 1972 to September 1973) Past 6 months (March 1973 to September 1973)
Iron Ore … +8 +8 +8
Tungsten Ore … -20 +20 +2
Non-Ferrous Base Metals:
Aluminium Ingots … -3 -3 +9
Nickel … +11 +21 -2
Copper … +78 +84 +31
Zinc … +68 +53 +26
Tin … +44 +38 +19
Lead … +66 +52 +22
Soya Beans … +110 +105 +51
Groundnut Oil … +20 +34 +19
Hides and Skins† … +81 +37 —
Textile Fibres:
Raw Cotton … +156 +147 +110
RawWool† … +247 +178 -16
Jute … -4 -8 -3
Timber:
Softwood† … +120 +115 +55
Hardwood† … +108 +91 +35
Plywood† … +83 +70 +36
Natural Rubber† … +116 +144 +36
Woodpulp … +32 +40 +24
Crude Sulphur … +3 +15 -4
Crude Oil* … +23 +25 +10
Notes:
* Unit value of imports; figures to August 1973 only.
† Provisional.

Mr. James Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has yet found a tenant for the Government factory recently vacated by Ranco Motors Limited at Tannochside, Glasgow.

Mr. Chataway

No, but we are continuing our efforts to find a suitable occupant.