asked the Minister of Production how many of the new regional controllers have been appointed; how many remain to be appointed; and when he hopes the new regional organisation will be in full operation?

I have been asked to reply. No appointments have yet been made, but a number of suitable persons have been interviewed and provisional selections have already been made for all but two of the posts. The appointments will be made very shortly, and I hope that the reconstitution of the Regional Boards will be complete before the end of the present month. In the meantime, the existing Boards are continuing to function.

Can my right hon. Friend say why there has been this abnormal delay in carrying out something which the House has desired for more than two years?

The selection of personel for these Boards is a very important matter. It is a matter to be dealt with after due consideration of a large number of possibilities, and I can assure the House there has been no avoidable delay.

asked (1) the Minister of Production whether he has considered a communication from the Abertillery Chamber of Trade regarding the establishment of suitable industries in the area covered by that organisation; and the nature of his reply;

(2) the Minister of Supply whether he has considered the letter received from the Abertillery Chamber of Trade regarding the location of industries; and the nature of his reply?

I have been asked to reply to both these Questions. The Abertillery Chamber of Trade were inforrned in reply to their communications that their suggestion would be considered. I may add that while the existing public services would admit of the establishment of further industries, the premises at present available are small and unsuitable, and the narrowness of the valley greatly restricts the possibility of establishing new factories of any considerable size on fresh sites. In the circumstances I fear there is no prospect of making any special arrangements for the area, but my right hon. Friends would be very happy, to follow up any practical suggestion which took due account of local conditions.

Does that answer apply to all the coal valleys in South Wales? Factories are certainly being kept away from them.

My answer is confined to this particular case.

Will the Minister keep in mind the Hemsworth Division? We have not got anything there.

I will bring it to the attention of my right hon. Friend.

Is it not a fact that there is a large amount of labour in South Wales which is not at present being utilised?

There is very little labour in that particular valley which is not fully occupied.