Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in 1938, 168 new factories were opened in the Greater London area. and 1138W 44 extensions, giving employment to 18,750 persons; that in the North-Eastern area, comprising Durham, Northumberland and the North Riding of Yorkshire there were 28 new factories opened and eight extensions, giving employment to 2,450 persons; and can he say what is being done to prevent the movement of industry to the South?
§ Mr. E. BrownYes, Sir, but I understand that of the 168 new factories opened in the Greater London area, 51 were transfers of existing businessses and of these, 46 were transfers from within the London region itself. Only two of the 28 new factories opened in the North-East area were transfers. As regards the last part of the question I would remind the hon. Member that the increasing concentration of the industrial population and the development of new private businesses in London and the Home Counties is a problem now engaging the attention of the Royal Commission on the Geographical Distribution of the Industrial Population. In the case of Government establishments required in connection with the Defence programme it is the Government's policy to place them in areas of heavy unemployment so far as practical considerations permit.