asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to state how many new industries have come to Lancashire since 1931, and how many people are employed in them; and what will the total number be when the new works are completed?

The number of new factories employing 25 or more persons established in Lancashire in 1932 and 1933 and still open at the end of 1933, was 189. The aggregate number of persons employed in these factories at the end of 1933 was approximately 14,400. I am not in a position to give figures for factories established since 1933.

Is there any attempt at planning on the part of the Government to put in the various counties a proportion of the new works that come to this country?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these foreign firms have degraded the standards of employment in the district?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to look at the information that I will give him on the subject?

I shall be glad to look at any information which may come from my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state how many German textile firms have been granted permission to establish manufacturing businesses in this country; whether he will give the names of the firms and the type of manufactures proposed, and in what localities they propose to operate; and whether the said firms are acting individually or through an organization?

During the current year there has been no case in which permission has been granted to German nationals to establish textile factories in this country, but in 26 cases permission has been granted for the establishment of making-up factories. As regards the second part of the question, the type of manufactures proposed is, with the exception of two firms who propose to engage in the manufacture of drawn thread work and down-filled quilts, the making of women's and children's clothing. I regret that, for the reasons given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in an answer to a question by the hon. Member for Normanton on the 17th instant, the other particulars asked for in this part of the question cannot be given. As regards the last part of the question, 19 of the applications were dealt with through one firm of solicitors as a matter of mutual convenience, but I understand that all the firms concerned are acting as independent units in this country.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform me whether there are any means by which it is possible for a depressed area which is wanting to sell sites for factories to get information with a view to doing business in this matter?

I could not say.