HC Deb 16 May 1966 vol 728 cc1061-4

[Queen's Recommendation signified]

Considered in Committee under Standing Order No. 88 (Money Committees).

[Sir ERIC FLETCHER in the Chair]

Motion made, and Question proposed, That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session to provide for the making of grants out of moneys provided by Parliament towards expenditure on the provision of new business assets and for connected purposes, it is expedient to authorise—

  1. A. the payment out of such moneys of—
    1. (1) grants to persons carrying on, or proposing to carry on, a business in Great Britain towards expenditure by them on or after 17th January, 1966—
      1. (a) in respect of machinery or plant, computers, hover vehicles, ships and prototypes for use for the purposes of that business;
      2. (b) in connection with mining or similar operations;
    2. (2) grants in respect of such other assets as may be specified in orders made by the Board of Trade under that Act;
  2. B. the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of—
    1. (1) any increase in the sums so payable under the Local Employment Acts 1960 and 1062 1963 which is attributable to the new Act so far as it—
      1. (a) provides for powers under those Acts to continue to be exercisable after the date on which they would otherwise expire and for those Acts to have effect in relation to new areas (hereinafter referred to as "development areas") constituted by the new Act;
      2. (b) amends or extends—
        1. (i) the provisions of those Acts relating to building grants;
        2. (ii) sections 4 and 7 of the said Act of 1960;
        3. (iii) the powers of the corporations established by section 8 of that Act;
    2. (2) the expenses of any Government department in exercising powers for bringing into use or improving derelict, neglected or unsightly land in development areas;
    3. (3) the expenses of the Board of Trade—
      1. (a) in connection with the modernisation, adaptation or reconstruction of any buildings or works belonging to the Board;
      2. (b) in exercising transitional powers in areas which cease to be development areas;
  3. C. any increase in the sums payable out of moneys provided by Parliament which is attributable to any provision of the new Act repealing subsections (5) and (7) of section 3 of the Sea Fish Industry Act 1962 and increasing, in relation to expenditure on or after 17th January 1966, the limits specified in subsection (8) of that section;
  4. D. the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of—
    1. (1) any expenses of the Board of Trade in connection with advisory committees established under the new Act;
      2. 1063
    2. (2) any administrative expenses attributable to that Act of any Government department;
  5. E. payments into the Exchequer under or by virtue of that Act.—[Mr. Jay.]

10.14 p.m.

Dame Irene Ward (Tynemouth)

I wonder whether I might have a little more information as to who will be the responsible authorities for paying out in the regions the money which the Government are providing. I know that I would not be in order to begin discussing how the provision of finance for regional development goes back to before the war when the Special Areas Act was originally thought up by Mr. Stanley Baldwin. But it is most unfair, when we have a story of development in these areas—development that is most important and supported by the whole House—that we do not get the whole truth. A whole new organisation has stemmed from the original steps taken by Mr. Baldwin.

I shall not go further, but I dislike injustice and it is monstrous that the Minister of State did not allow me just to say, when I sought to interrupt him in his speech—[Interruption.] I had no intention of speaking on the Financial Resolution, but when my dander is up I get going. What I wanted from the Minister of State was an assurance that this Bill will be administered free from political intervention.

This is very important. Right hon. and hon. Members opposite will have noticed Motion No. 59 on the Order Paper, standing in my name—"Impartiality in national and regional bodies"—[Interruption.] This is very important. In my part of the country we want to know—

The Chairman

Order. I am afraid that the hon. Lady cannot discuss Motion No. 59. She must confine her remarks to the Financial Resolution.

Dame Irene Ward

I am going to confine my remarks to the Financial Resolution, because Motion No. 59—[Interruption.] Certainly—[Interruption.] Hon. Members are frightened of me. I know it very well. I specifically did not intervene in the debate because I thought that I would let it ride until I saw how it developed.

Motion No. 59 draws attention to the fact that we in the north of England want an undertaking that no one will deal with these matters in any executive capacity who has received payment from the Labour Party for services rendered during the General Election campaign. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] This is very important.

The Chairman

Order. I hesitate to interrupt the hon. Lady, but she really must confine her remarks to the Financial Resolution.

Dame Irene Ward

They will be confined to the Financial Resolution, Sir Eric, because what I have tried to find out is whether, when this money leaves the Board of Trade to be distributed under the terms of the Financial Resolution, it will have any political strings attached. All I seek is an assurance on this point. I fully realise that I cannot discuss Motion No. 59 in detail. I shall take another opportunity to do so. I hope.

I am sure that hon. Members opposite have read the Motion and understand the implications which apply to the Financial Resolution. I want an assurance that no one connected with the consideration of money which goes to the fulfilment of the Bill in the regions will be in any way under the control of any individual or body which has received political payment for services rendered during the General Election. That is all I am asking, and it is a very simple request.

Both sides of the Committee want the areas concerned to benefit from anything which may flow from the Bill, and we want to have it properly administered and free from political intervention. If the right hon. Gentleman will give me the assurance, I shall be delighted about it, and we may be able to make an alteration in the appointment of the Chairman of the Economic Planning Council for the Northern Region.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Douglas Jay)

I can see no relation between the hon. Lady's speech and the Financial Resolution, but I can assure her that the Bill will be administered in accordance with the Resolution.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolution to be reported.

Report to be received Tomorrow.