HC Deb 29 July 1959 vol 610 cc96-7W
Commander Pursey

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of firms from outside Hull intending to build new factories, and the number of local firms intending to enlarge or rebuild existing factories in the city, which, this year, have applied for financial aid under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958, and the result of the applications.

Mr. Enroll

Nine firm and eligible applications for assistance under this Act have been received by the Development Areas Treasury Advisory Committee. Three of these have been rejected, and the other six are still under consideration. As all applications are made in confidence I am unable to give details of the individual applications received.

Commander Pursey

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the dates of starting and completion of the first new factory in Hull, as the result of Treasury financial assistance under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, and the number of unemployed men and women who will be employed.

Mr. Erroll

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 16th March, in which I explained that as Hull is not a Development Area scheduled under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, the Treasury has no power under that Act to give financial assistance to industrial undertakings there.

Commander Pursey

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider granting financial aid under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958, to private development companies, to build and lease new factories in Hull, to absorb some of the large number of unemployed in the City and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Mr. Erroll

The Treasury is able to give assistance under this Act only if, among other things, the Board of Trade is satisfied that the purpose for which the assistance is required is likely to reduce or to contribute to the reduction of the rate of unemployment in a place of high and persistent unemployment. An application by a private development company for assistance to build and lease new factories is unlikely to meet this requirement of the Act.