HC Deb 03 March 1971 vol 812 cc455-8W
Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries were received and grants issued for the building of advance factories under the Local Employment Act, 1970 in the Hull employment area; and how many continuous employment opportunities they created.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further plans he has for Government advance factories in Hull; and when the projected factory will be completed.

Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms have made inquiries for the building of an advance factory in Hull under the Local Employment Act, 1970; and if he will give an estimate of the jobs this will provide.

Mr. Anthony Grant

In Hull we are providing an advance factory initially of 20,000 sq. ft. which it is hoped to have ready for occupation not later than the spring of 1972. No inquiries have yet been received for the factory but it has been mentioned to a number of firms. The employment generated must depend on the nature of the industry attracted to the factory. We have no plans at present for further advance factories in Hull.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance has been given to the Hull Local Authority under the Local Employment Act, 1970; and what basic services did they improve.

Mr. Anthony Grant

None, although approval has been given for the payment of grant towards the cost of two schemes, one to improve water supply and the other sewerage.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications were received for industrial development certificates; how many were granted for the Hull employment area during 1970; how many new jobs they created; and how this compares with the years 1968 and 1969.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The information is given in the following table:

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED IN THE HULL EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AREA
Estimated Additional Employment*
Number Males Total
1968 32 680 1,070
1969 40 620 850
1970 33 580 1,000

No industrial development certificates were refused in Hull during these years.

NOTE: Applicants' estimates of the additional employment expected to arise when the projects are complete and fully manned.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many new jobs have been created in the Hull local employment area since the Local Employment Act, 1970.

Mr. Anthony Grant

1,050 jobs were estimated by the firms concerned to arise from projects for which industrial development certificates were issued from 1st March, 1970, to 31st January, 1971. Figures for new jobs created are not available.

Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the number of industrial development certificates issued in the Hull, Hessle and Beverley exchange area for each calendar month of 1970 and for January, 1971; and how many jobs are expected upon the completion of these projects.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The information is given in the following table:

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED IN HULL, HESSLE AND BEVERLEY EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AREAS
Estimated Additional Employment*
Number Males Total
1970—
January 3 50 50
February 3 10 10
March 8 400 470
April 7 220 610
May 5 60 120
June [...]
July 5 30 30
August [...]
September 6 200 220
October 5 70 70
November [...]
December [...]
1971— 7 150 170
January [...]
Total 49 1,190 1,750

Note: In order to avoid diclosing details of individual projects the figures for some months have been combined.

* Applicants' estimates of the additional employment expected to arise when projects are Complete and fully manned.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many official visits have been made to the Hull intermediate area by him and his Departmental Ministers, and for what purposes.

Mr. Anthony Grant

My right hon. Friend has accepted an invitation to visit Messrs. J.H. Fenner's premises on 30th April. I visited Hull on 4th January to commission the "Miranda".

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what fresh proposals he has for the development of industry in the Hull intermediate area.

Mr. Anthony Grant

No further changes in regional industrial policy are proposed at present. The North Humberside intermediate area already offers useful incentives for industrial development, of which advantage is now being taken.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will itemise in the OFFICIAL REPORT all those items of additional expenditure under the Local Employment Acts for which his Department will be responsible, in the Hull intermediate area, as a result of the Government's recent policy announcement on intermediate areas.

Mr. Anthony Grant

No additional expenditure is expected in the North Humberside intermediate area as a result of the changes announced on 18th February.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what number of jobs, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled he expects to be generated in the Hull intermediate area as a result of Her Majesty's Government's recent policy announcement concerning intermediate areas.

Mr. Anthony Grant

No such detailed estimate is possible, since the amount and kind of employment created in individual designated areas depends on trends in the national economy and on the size and nature of projects coming forward. The Department will continue to help North Humberside take full advantage of the benefits of intermediate area status.