§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many advance factories are empty and available for occupation in Sunderland; on what date they were completed; how many advance factories are under construction in Sunderland; and why the Government, in the light of those figures, announced plans on 28th February 1977 for seven more advance factories to be built in that town.
266W
§ Mr. CryerThere are two advance factories empty and available in Sunderland, both of which were completed in April 1976. Four more are under construction. The six combined could provide jobs for approximately 300. The total unemployed stood at 14,000 in the Wearside TTWA at the end of February. The need for action to reduce this high total led to the announcement on 28th February of seven additional factories in Sunderland which could provide about 324 more jobs. This number of factories we could expect to let within a reasonable length of time.