asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take the necessary steps to encourage light engineering or similar factories to establish themselves at Leiston, Suffolk, which town has, in the past, suffered from unemployment almost to the extent of becoming a depressed area; and if he will receive a deputation from the local council to discuss this problem.

As unemployment has been at a very low level in this district since the war and is likely to remain so

—	Number of Railway Male Clerical and Supervisory Staff (including Clerks, Station Masters and Goods Agents, Supervisors and Control Staff) Four main line Railway Companies.	Percentage in Class—
		Special.	1.	2.	3.	4.	5 and Junior.
March, 1947	69,674	5·5	5·0	10·3	17·3	25·8	36·1
March, 1938	75,438	4·5	4·4	8·6	15·0	24·6	42·9

for some time to come, I do not regard the steps suggested by the hon. Member as desirable. I do not think it necessary to trouble a deputation to discuss the position.