§ 43. Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Minister of Supply what orders his Department has placed with factories in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire this year, in view of the need to counter depopulation which is encouraged by the sense of ruin following the closure of Douglas Castle Colliery.
§ Mr. W. J. TaylorIt is general Government policy to give preferential consideration to firms in Development Areas and areas of high and persistent unemployment. As my right hon. Friend explained to the hon. Member for Gateshead, West (Mr. Randall) on 20th April last, however, the Department's records are not kept in such a way as to enable me to give information in regard to particular districts.