§ Mr. Pentlandasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the reluctance on the part of manufacturers to set up new industries in the County of Durham; and what further action he proposes to take in order to draw their attention to the facilities and amenities available in the county.
§ Mr. Maudling:Some firms have been deterred from setting up in the County of Durham and the North East generally because it is too far away from their existing factories or their main market, but I do not believe that there is a deep-seated or universal reluctance to go there. The inducements offered by the Local Employment Act are available in those areas of County Durham which are Development Districts, and we shall continue to draw the attention 168W of industrialists to the facilities available in the county.
§ Mr. Pentlandasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is satisfied with the rate of progress being made under the Local Employment Act in bringing new industries to the County of Durham;
(2) how many additional jobs he expects to be available in the County of Durham in 1961 as a result of new industries being brought to the area.
§ Mr. Maudling:It is estimated that there are at present about 14,500 new jobs in prospect in County Durham, of which about a tenth will be provided by firms new to the county. A substantial proportion should accrue this year. But I should like to see new firms coming in more rapidly.