§ Mr. Speirasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the refusal, following a public inquiry, of permission to develop Green-head Quarry, near Haltwhistle, by the Northumberland Whinstone Company; whether he is aware that this will adversely affect employment in an area which has suffered greatly in the past from unemployment and which is now threatened with further unemployment through the closure of many coal mines and other quarries in the vicinity; and whether he will now take steps to encourage suitable alternative industry to become established in the Haltwhistle area as a matter of urgency
195W
§ Mr. Maudling:I am aware that my right hon. Friend has refused permission for the extension of the workings at the quarry, and that this may deprive the area of opportunities of additional employment. As I told my hon. Friend 196W in answer to a Question on 7th February, there are about seventy jobs for men in prospect in the Haltwhistle area, and I shall continue to try to encourage suitable firms to go there.