HC Deb 22 November 1967 vol 754 cc342-4W
54. Earl of Dalkeith

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many completed advance factories in Scotland are still without tenants; what is the greatest length of time that any have remained empty; what steps he is taking to secure tenants by advertising and other means; and how much he has spent on advertising in the past two years.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

11; of these one has been untenanted for 18 months. Publicity takes the form of press advertisements, illustrated literature, and hoardings on sites. In addition, the Board of Trade constantly draw the attention of industrialists to available factory space.

The Government, as part of its advertising programme for the Development Areas, has spent in the last two years about £9,000 on advertising advance factories. The Estates Corporations have spent about £20,000 advertising their available space.

59. Mr. Dobson

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number of advance factories now in use, being constructed, and planned, for development areas in the South-West; how many new jobs have been created in the last two years; and what is the estimate for the next three years.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

In the South-West Development Area five advance factories have been completed and allocated of which two are in use; one is under construction and three more are planned. I cannot disclose the present employment in the two factories in use. The total number of jobs which all these factories will provide will depend on the type of projects attracted.

83. Mr. Baker

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to obtain a tenant for the advance factory being built in Banff.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

This factory was announced in June, 1967, but we have not yet been able to start construction because of land acquisition problems. Our intention to build this factory is, however, being brought to the attention of suitable firms.

Mr. Symonds

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the new factories for West Cumberland will be commenced; and how many men he estimates will be employed.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

The Workington No. 3 advance factory (25,000 sq. ft.) will be built on land to be acquired and it is too soon yet to say when building may start. The Maryport No. 2 advance factory (15,000 sq. ft.) will be built on land which we have purchased to extend our Solway Industrial Estate at Maryport. Site development work is at present in progress and it is hoped to start building the factory about the middle of February. I cannot at this stage estimate how many men will be employed.

Mr. Symonds

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the technological factories owned and controlled by the Government will be commenced in West Cumberland.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

Since October, 1964, the Board of Trade have approved the erection in West Cumberland of 324,000 sq. ft. of Government-owned factories, of which 112,000 sq. ft. was for six advance factories. There are at present no plans to set up Government-controlled factories. The Board is always ready to provide factories for rent or sale to firms who are able to provide suitable employment for the area.