§ 46. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Prime Minister whether, in considering the question of the transfer of labour from distressed areas where high rates prevent the setting up of new industries 1397 and tend to destroy those existing there, the Government have also considered the giving by legislation of power to local authorities in such distressed areas to grant immunity from rates for long periods to new undertakings which agree to start and carry on operations in such areas; and whether he is aware that this practice in the United States has been found to be effective and economical as against the cost and inconvenience of transferring populations from their homes to strange places, and especially beneficial to the distressed areas?
§ The PRIME MINISTERProposals of the nature of those referred to by my hon. and learned Friend were examined, together with a variety of other suggestions, in the light of information as to their operation in other countries before the Government decided to adopt the plan embodied in the Bill at present before Parliament for the relief of productive industry from its rate burdens.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that only by some arrangement of the kind suggested can any hope he entertained of re-establishing industries in such distressed areas; and that the proposal is merely to do what a property owner does who has no money; that is, to give a first charge to the man who will do the repairs needed to preserve the property?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe carried out a full examination, and are getting at the problem from another direction.