§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about progress being made in locating a tenant in the advance factory at Mosshill, Ayr.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantA recent application has now been withdrawn and we are therefore continuing to do all we can to find a suitable occupier.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of the continuing high level of unemployment in the Cumnock area, and the need to provide Government help to the local authority in its effort to attract new 235W industry, he will add an advance factory for Cumnock to the programme announced by him on 15th January.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe advance factory programme announced on 15th January has been planned to help areas with the highest actual and potential unemployment. I recognise that other areas have needs but I am unable to add them to the list on this occasion.
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why no advance factories have been designated for any town in rural Wales in the advance factory programme recently announced.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe advance factory programme announced on 15th January is intended to help in the areas of highest actual or potential unemployment, bearing in mind particularly the situation in the coal and steel industries. The needs of rural Wales are at present met in particular by the factory building programme of the Development Commission, which is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment.