HC Deb 21 December 1967 vol 756 cc483-5W
Mr. William Hamilton

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much new factory space has been provided in Scotland and in Fife, respectively, in each of the last four years; how many male jobs are expected to result; and how many have accrued to date.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody:

Information about the area of industrial building completed in Scotland and Fife between 1963 and 1966 together with the estimated additional male employment is given in the table below. It is not possible to say how many of these jobs have been provided to date.

INDUSTRIAL BUILDING COMPLETED (1)FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
Area Thousand sq. ft. Estimated additional employment (2) Males
Scotland
1963 3,880 7,020
1964 3,946 5,650
1965 4,326 8,300
1966 6,460 10,090
Of which:—
Fife
1963 91 90
1964 392 560
1965 418 960
1966 708 1,570

Notes:

(1) Schemes mainly over 5,000 sq. ft. for which industrial development certificates were issued (new buildings and extensions to existing premises).

(2) Employment expected to arise when projects are fully manned, as estimated by the applicants for the certificates.

(3) Employment Exchange Areas of Anstruther, Cowdenbeath, Burntisland, Cupar, Dunfermline, Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy, Inverkeithing, Leven and Tayport. Industrial Development Certificates (North Warwickshire)

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will modify his Department's practice in the issue of industrial development certificates to permit industry to come to areas of above average unemployment, such as North Warwickshire.

Mr. Darling:

The current and expected local employment position is always taken fully into account in considering applications for industrial development certificates. Applications for development in areas of above average unemployment in North Warwickshire are considered more sympathetically than those for development in the highly congested areas of the West Midlands.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to attract new industry to areas such as North Warwickshire, which have been traditionally dependent on mining and other industries.

Mr. Darling:

The development areas, parts of which are likely to be seriously affected by colliery closures, must continue to have priority. Subject to this the needs of places outside the development areas, including North Warwickshire where employment may be affected by colliery closures, will be taken into account in considering applications for industrial development certificates.