HC Deb 10 March 1948 vol 448 c153W
Mr. Gallacher

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of factories erected in Scotland from 1930 to 31st December, 1947; the number of workers employed in these factories; the number of factories at present under construction in Scotland; and the potential numbers to be employed in those factories when completed.

Mr. H. Wilson

Information is not available exactly in the form asked for, but during the seven years from the beginning of 1932 to the end of 1938, 184 factories and extensions, in which 25 or more persons were employed, were opened in Scotland. It is not possible to state how many persons these factories were employing at 31st December, 1947, nor is it possible to give statistics in respect of the factories built during the war years. During the period June, 1945, to 31st December, 1947, 147 new factories and extensions of 5,000 sq. ft. or over had been built in Scotland and were employing about 7,000 persons at the end of 1947. In addition, 286 new factories and extensions of 5,000 sq. ft. and over were in course of construction in Scotland at the end of December, 1947. It is estimated that these will give employment to about 40,000 persons when completed and in full production.