HC Deb 22 February 1968 vol 759 cc172-3W
63. Mr. Wiley

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will invite the Northern Economic Planning Council to prepare proposals for siting a large-scale industrial estate to meet the employment needs of the Wearside area.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

My right hon. Friend will be very willing to consider any views that the Northern Economic Planning Council presents about the employment needs of the Wearside area and the way to meet them. We are, however, buying over 100 acres for industrial development in this area—43 acres at Pennywell, 46 acres at Rainton Bridge, and 13 acres at Houghton-leSpring. We also understand that Sunderland Corporation are considering the purchase of an industrial site. We do not consider that we would be justified in buying further land at the present time.