§ 80 Mr. Monslowasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the depreciation that has taken place and is taking place in the engineering industry in Barrow, with its consequential effects by way of redundant labour, he will now consider the inclusion of Barrow-in-Furness in a development area to absorb such redundant labour.
§ Mr. BelcherNo, Sir. The redundancy, which is, I understand, due in part to shortage of raw materials, has mainly 153W affected fitters who have either come into Barrow from other areas and are returning to their home districts or are being reabsorbed in the shipbuilding yards which are assured of a high level of activity for some time to come. The main need in the Furness area is employment for women and I am already paying special attention to this aspect of the problem. A Government factory in the Furness area has been allocated for production and, additionally, three new building projects and an extension there have been approved, which should provide employment for some 1,500 persons, including 800 women.