§ 29. Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade how many firms in the South Wales Development Area are now affected by the recession in the motor industry; and what steps he is taking to provide these firms with alternative orders to avoid short-time working and unemployment.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithWe know of about a dozen establishments manufacturing motor car components where some short-time working or redundancy has occurred. These establishments are widely spread over the Development Area. The Board of Trade is not in a position to provide alternative orders, but where Government74W contracts are put out to competitive tender the usual arrangements apply whereby, other things being equal, tenders from firms in Development Areas are given preference.