§ Mr. G. Griffithsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the number of new factories and extension of factories, and the number of persons employed therein, in each of the past few years in Great Britain and in each of the main groups of Special Areas, distinguishing between Tyneside and Durham?
§ Captain WallaceThe following statement shows the desired information, so far as it is available from the reports obtained for the purpose of the annual Surveys of Industrial Development. I am informed that the further reports of the Commissioners for the Special Areas, which will be published shortly, will contain particulars of more recent developments in those areas. It is not practicable to give precise details of the employment provided by extensions to factories, but no new factory or extension is included in the Survey unless it provides employment for 25 or more workpeople.
panies; and whether he will take legislative steps to make this charge more commensurate with the cost of supplying and maintaining the meters?
§ Captain WallaceI have no reason to think that gas companies generally charge 1147W meter rents in excess of the costs of supplying and maintaining the meters. The question of electricity meters is one for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.