asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that Messrs. Courtaulds' factory has now been withdrawn from Sellafield, if he will state the policy to be adopted to absorb the unemployed that would have been found employment by Courtaulds Limited; and what is his policy as to the encouragement of new industries in Whitehaven, Ennerdale and Millom districts of the development area.

A number of those who would have been employed on Courtaulds' work will, most probably, be absorbed in the new enterprise which is going ahead at Sellafield. We shall, however, continue to watch the position in the area as a whole and take any measures practicable to maintain a high level of employment.

Mr. Vane:

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman's reply mean that the general prospects of employment particularly for men, are less good as a result of this Government factory being substituted for Courtaulds Limited?

It is impossible to say at the present moment, but they are satisfactory, so far as they go.