Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make additional finance available, consequent on the proposed closure of the Shildon wagon works, to provide for a rapid development of new industrial sites and factories in the town.
§ Mr. KingThe consequences for the spending needs of authorities in the area which might arise if the proposed closure were to go ahead cannot yet be accurately assessed; but any such consequences would be considered alongside other needs in determining future levels of permitted expenditure and of central Government support.