§ Mr. James Hamiltonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the effect of the closure of the Imperial Chemical Industries factory at Bellshill upon employment in this development district; and what are the propects of any other industrialist using the factory.
§ Mr. DarlingAs already announced, this factory is due to close early in 1966. I understand that it will be offered for sale towards the end of the present year. It is too early therefore to say whether another occupant will be found before I.C.I. move out. The number of jobs at present in prospect in Bellshill greatly exceeds total possible redundancy from this factory and, in addition, as my right hon. Friend announced in November, an advance factory of 40,000 sq. ft. is to be built at Bellshill.