asked the President of the Board of Trade how many advance factories are still untenanted in the Northern Region; and what action is being taken to ensure a tenancy either private or public service.

Nine Board of Trade advance factories in the Northern Region are untenanted; negotiations for the disposal of five of these are under way. Our efforts to interest industrialists in the remainder continue actively.

While we recognise that the Ministry's efforts in the establishment of advance factories have been commendable, is not my hon. Friend aware that at the moment there are some of these factories which have been empty for more than 12 months? If private enterprise cannot be induced to take this opportunity, should not public enterprise be encouraged to do so?

We are concerned about the number of advance factories standing empty, particularly in the Northern Region, but we are encouraged by the fact that there have been an increasing number of inquiries since the beginning of the year, and that we are going at great speed, and have done for some time.

What is the capital cost of keeping these advance factories, not only in the Northern region but in the country as a whole?

I should require notice of that question.

Will my hon. Friend reply to that part of the Question which relates to provision for publicly operated firms if private enterprise is not coming forward to this vital opportunity?

While we quite understand the immediate approach and the immediate appeal of the idea of the Government moving into these kind of factories, this is not quite a simple question and not one on which we have as yet been able to reach a decision.