HC Deb 11 December 1947 vol 445 cc229-30W
75. Mr. G. Roberts

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that the proposals now before his Department for the introduction of a new industry to the unemployment area of Nantlle Valley, Caernarvonshire, will not be adversely affected by the programme of cuts in capital expenditure.

Mr. Belcher

I have much sympathy with these proposals but they involve the building of a new factory. Since the purpose for which such a factory would be used is undecided, I cannot hold out any hope of an early start in view of the policy laid down in the White Paper on Capital Investment in 1948 (Cmd. 7268). If, however, I were assured that this factory would make a substantial contribution to exports or import saving, the case would be on an entirely different footing. I hope, therefore, that a suitable firm may be found willing to take over the factory when it is built.