§ 83. Sir C. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade how many Government factories have been built in Scotland; what is the total cost and income; how many square feet of floor space is occupied and unused, respectively; how many more factories it is proposed to build; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Darling364 firms occupy approximately 22 million sq. ft. of factory space in Scotland owned by the Board of Trade, the estimated cost of which was about £30 million. Of this area about 17.2 million sq. ft. have been constructed by the Board since the Distribution of Industry Act of 1945. Less than ¼ million sq. ft. is currently unoccupied. The annual rent received from Board of Trade tenants is approximately £1.7 million. We296W have about 71 projects now under construction or approved, and are willing to consider building for any suitable applicant.