§ 86. Mr. Greyasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimate of jobs in prospect for the next twelve months, in the north-east.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonThe number of jobs which have been quoted to the hon. Member and other Members as in prospect for the North-East reflects the estimates of the firms concerned of the employment which they expect to provide. It will be three or four years before these jobs all accrue, and I cannot say how many will be provided in the next twelve months. Nevertheless many of these firms are now recruiting labour, and work has started on factory building for others.
§ 87. Mr. Greyasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that the 21,000 jobs in prospect in the North-East will not be affected by the new financial restrictions.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonMy right hon. Friend cannot guarantee that these jobs will materialise exactly as at present forecast. The Government will, of course, continue to use vigorously their powers under the Local Employment Act. The assistance already offered to 161W firms will in no way be affected by the Chancellor's measures.
§ 88. Mr. Randallasked the President of the Board of Trade of the 7,500 jobs in prospect for Government financed factories in the North-East, administered by the Industrial Estates Management Corporation for England, how many are designated for skilled workers.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonPrecise figures are not available.