HC Deb 06 December 1976 vol 922 cc50-1W
16. Mr. Radice

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with industrial prospects in the Northern Region.

Mr. Alan Williams

We have continued our efforts to promote industrial development in the Northern Region.

Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what were the number and area of vacant industrial premises known to his Department in the Northern Region in each of the years 1974 and 1975.

Mr. Alan Williams

The information in respect of my Department's own factories is as under:

Date Number of Factories Total Area '000 sq. ft.
June 1974 22 396
December 1974 31 653
June 1975 42 954
December 1975 46 994

Corresponding information is not now readily available for other industrial premises.

Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) how many manufacturing industry factories have been closed in the Northern Region since 1st January 1975; in how many cases such factories were branches of (a) the United Kingdom groups and (b) international groups; and how many jobs have been lost in each case to male and female adults, respectively;

(2) what has been the total cost of all capital works and grants approved by his Department directly related to regional industrial development in the Northern Region since 1973.

Mr. Alan Williams

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) how many jobs have been created by his Department's activities in the North-East Region served by an Economic Planning Council in each of the last five years;

(2) what has been the amount of public money spent in total per head of the population on creating jobs in the North-East Region in the last five years.

Mr. Alan Williams

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.