HC Deb 16 July 1973 vol 860 cc8-9W
30. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give up-to-date information on the occupation of advance factories in the Northern Region recently built; whether he has in mind the building of additional factories; whether he has lettings for them; and if he can announce the firms involved and the number of jobs which will result.

Mr. Anthony Grant

Since 1st January 1972 five advance factories have been built and allocated, providing employment for an estimated 670 people. In addition, 19 advance factories built before January 1972 have been allocated, providing jobs for an estimated 1,600. In January this year 17 new factories were announced; preliminary work on them is in hand and all of them should be completed by early 1975. These are advance factories; this year so far a number of secondhand vacant factories have been allocated and 16 extensions of factories approved, both of which will create further jobs.

Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many advance factories in the Northern Region are unoccupied; and, in each case, for what length of time they have been unoccupied.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The information is as follows. All but one, that at Workington, have been provisionally allocated:

Months
Brandon No. 5 26
Cleator Moor No. 4 31
Consett No. 3 27
Crook No. 4 32
Houghton le Spring No. 5 3
Maryport No. 3 33
Millom No. 2 4
Stanley No. 4 2
Sunderland No. 4 35
Teesside No. 4 21
Workington No. 3 42