HC Deb 18 March 1970 vol 798 cc154-6W
Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement on advance factories.

Mr. Varley

Since October, 1964, we have authorised the construction of 181 advance factories in the development areas; of these 82 are in England, 55 in Scotland and 44 in Wales. They have an area of 4£3 million square feet and, even without extensions which have already been authorised for some of them, may be expected to provide employment for 14,000–16,000 people.

Of the 181 factories so far authorised, 133 have been completed and 111 of these have been allocated; we have inquiries for others.

There is no doubt that the provision of Government advance factories has been a most valuable means of attracting industry to the development areas. Now that we have the power to help in a similar way in the new intermediate areas, we intend to provide such factories there as well.

We have therefore decided to authorise the construction of a further 39 advance factories, in both the development and intermediate areas. Details are given below:

Location
Size
(sq. ft.)
A. DEVELOPMENT AREAS
England
North … Jarrow … 25,000
Team Valley … 25,000
Sunderland … 15,000
10,000 (terrace unit)
Aycliffe … 15,000
10,000 (terrace unit)
Thornaby … 15,000
10,000 (terrace unit)
Tynemouth … 25,000
North West … Knowsley … 25,000
South West … Penryn … 10,000
Bodmin … 10,000
Total … 195,000
Location Size
(sq. ft.)
Scotland
Cowlairs 30,000
Hillington 30,000
North Cardonald 30,000
Greenock 20,000
Kilsyth 20,000
Lanark (Caldwellside) 20,000
Mosshill (Ayr) 20,000
Fort William 10,000
N.E. Scotland 10,000
Total 190,000
Wales
Oakdale 50,000
Waterton 50,000
Landore 25,000
Tredegar 25,000
Aberdare 20,000
Caernarvon 10,000
Blaenau Ffestiniog 10,000
Fishguard 10,000
Total 200,000
B. INTERMEDIATE AREAS
England only
South Yorkshire Doncaster 25,000
Barnsley 25,000
Site yet to be selected in Yorkshire coalfield 25,000
Mexborough 15,000
Humberside Hull 20,000
N.E. Lancashire Altham 20,000
Rossendale Valley 10,000
Nelson and Colne 10,000
East Midlands Notts/Derby Coalfield 20,000
South West Plymouth 20,000
Total 190,000
TOTAL A AND B 775,000