HC Deb 25 October 1967 vol 751 cc498-9W
86. Mr. Will Owen

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to secure a tenant for the Board of Trade advance factory at Ashington, Northumberland; and whether he will obtain from such a tenant an indication of the number of men likely to be employed.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

An application from a company to rent the 25,000 sq. ft. advance factory at Ashington is now being considered. The level and suitability of employment offered is always a major factor in deciding whether a tenant is acceptable.

Mr. Mackintosh

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the two advance factories being built by the Development Commission in Kelso and Berwick-on-Tweed will be completed; and whether tenants have been found for these factories.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

February, 1968 and December, 1967 respectively. Neither factory has yet been allocated.

Mr. William Hamilton

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many completed advance factories are awaiting tenants in Fife; how long they have been empty; and what steps he is taking to secure tenants employing predominantly male labour.

Mr. Darling

Three have been empty for 3, 8 and 17 months. We are doing all we can to obtain suitable tenants.

Mr. Mackintosh

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many advance factories have been authorised in Scotland since October, 1964; how many are now under construction; how many have been built; how many have been let to tenants; in how many production has begun; and how many workers are currently employed in those factories that are in production.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

43 have been authorised; 19 are under construction; 19 are completed; 11 have been allocated; 9 are in production. At the last count in August, 696 workers were employed.