§ Mr. Barnettasked the President of the Board of Trade, how many vacant textile mills there are in Lancashire; what information he has as to the average rent per square foot being asked; how this compares with the price of warehouse and factory space in the country generally; and if he will make this information available over the widest possible area of industry together with the labour position in the vicinity of the mills, with special reference to the quality of the labour, particularly its comparative trouble-free record.
§ Mr. DarlingThe Board does not control the disposal of vacant industrial premises, and does not keep information about them except in development areas. I am, of course, aware that as a result of the planned reorganisation of the cotton textile industry a considerable number of mills have become vacant and are available at very reasonable prices. Many Lancashire cotton mills have already been acquired by firms outside the textile industry and I think that industry generally is well aware of the possibilities of making use of premises of this kind and of the high quality of Lancashire labour.