§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what efforts the Industrial Development Board have made to try and secure a new owner for the factory located at Moss lane, Castlewellan, County Down, currently occupied by Castlewellan Yarns; and if he will make a statement about employment levels in the textile industry in South Down.
§ Mr. NeedhamCastlewellan Yarns is a division of Linfield Group Ltd. which is the owner of the factory168W premises at Moss lane, Castlewellan. The group is not expected to vacate the premises for some months, but it has expressed its willingness to co-operate with the Industrial Development Board if an early purchaser is found. The IDB is making the factory's forthcoming availability known to potential investors and will be actively encouraging them to consider Castlewellan as a manufacturing location.
The IDB has eight client companies in the textiles sector in South Down. These companies operate at 10 locations and employ over 800 people. The IDB is maintaining close contact with the companies in order to encourage growth and increased competitiveness.