§ 93. Mr. Ewartasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of requests received by his Department from factory tenants under the administration of the North Eastern Trading Estates Limited for permission to extend their present factory space to facilitate increased employment and production or to relieve overcrowded conditions; and how many such applications have been agreed.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftIn the three-year period 1949–51 inclusive, 105 such applications were received, of which eight were subsequently withdrawn. Of the remainder, 40 were approved and 18 are still under consideration.
§ 94. Mr. Ewartasked the President of the Board of Trade what Government Departments have laid contracts with firms in the North East, under the rearmament plan; and if he will consider the desirability of such contracts being extended in view of the increase of unemployment in the area.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe Admiralty, War Office, Air Ministry, Ministry of Supply and Ministry of Works have all laid contracts with firms in the North-East Development Area since the present re-armament programme began. As I informed the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Peart) on 6th December, I am anxious that the Development Areas should make their maximum contribution to the needs of production for defence and exports.