§ Mr. William Edwardsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider designating old slate quarrying areas a high rate of unemployment and a great deal of industrial devolution, such as Blaenau Ffestiniog, as special areas within the existing development areas.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody:The Special Development Areas have been limited to those areas likely to suffer most severely from colliery closures. There is no present intention of adding to the list of such areas.
A large advance factory constructed by the Board of Trade in Blaenau Ffestiniog is now occupied and is beginning to build up its labour force. This should 133W help solve difficulties arising from the decline in employment in slate mining in the area.