HC Deb 25 June 1975 vol 894 cc175-7W
Mr. Bagier

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what further programme of advance factory construction he proposes for the assisted areas.

Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

In conjunction with the wide range of financial incentives made available to industry by the Government in the assisted areas, advance factories play an important and effective role. They attract industry to the particular locations which most need new jobs and provide for a diversification of job opportunities in areas heavily dependent on a few large employers.

LOCATION AND SITE OF FACTORIES
Location Size
(sq. ft.) (sq. metres)
England
Northern Region
Hartlepool 2×15,000 2,700
Derwentside (Consett or Tanfield Lea) 25,000 2,250
Hebburn 2×15,000 2,700
Blyth 10,000 (Terrace Units) 900
Ashington 10,000 900
Thornaby 15,000 (Terrace Units) 13,50
120,000 10,800
North West Region
Merseyside 25,000 2,250
Barrow-in-Furness 15,000 (Terrace Units) 1,350
Blackpool 15,000 1,350
Altham (Hyndburn) 15,000 1,350
Bacup or Haslingden 10,000 900
80,000 7,200
Yorkshire and Humberside
Hull 25,000 2,250
Rotherham 25,000 2,250
50,000 4,500
Wales
Gaerwen 10,000 900
Caernarvon 10,000 900
Pwllheli 2×5,000 900
Milford Haven 10,000 900

Beginning in July 1974 the Government have announced four separate programmes in their new series of rolling programmes designed to respond more frequently and more flexibly to the needs of the assisted areas. 47 of these factories are already under construction, and preparatory work on the remainder is well advanced. To encourage further investment in the assisted areas I have now authorised an additional 30 factories totalling some 550,000 sq. ft. Allowing for necessary preparatory work, construction is expected to begin in the financial year 1976–77, and so the programme will provide a continued flow of building as the present series is completed. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will be announcing the locations of the factories to be built in Scotland. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales announced in the Welsh Grand Committee on 7th May the Welsh part of the programme. The following is the list:

Location Size
(sq. ft.) (sq. metres)
Penyfan 10,000 900
Kenfig 50,000 4,500
100,000 9,000
Scotland 200,000 18,000
Grand Total 550,000 49,500