asked the President of the Board of Trade when work will commence on the advance factory at Shotts; and when it will be ready for occupation.

Negotiations for acquiring the necessary land are proceeding; building work will begin as soon as possible after they are completed, and is expected to take about nine months.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary make certain that there is no unavoidable delay whatever in the putting up of this factory, since the area is desperately in need of jobs which, it is hoped, will be made available by this factory?

Yes, we shall do our best.