HC Deb 24 February 1947 vol 433 cc1700-1
107. Mr. Bossom

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether all of the 2,066 new factories that he announced have recently been, are being, or will be, constructed have had their sites approved by the Minister of Town and Country Planning.

Mr. Belcher

The Ministry of Town and Country Planning, or, in the case of projects in Scotland, the Scottish Office, are consulted before location approval is given to industrial projects. The granting of planning consent in respect of the actual site is a matter for the local planning authority.

Mr. Bossom

Are any of these factories on agricultural land, and can the Parliamentary Secretary publish in the OFFICAL REPORT where these factories are placed?

Mr. Belcher

I do not know whether or not any of these factories are on agricultural land, but I can assure the hon. Member that all the Ministries concerned are consulted, including the Ministry of Agriculture, before any action is taken.

Mr. Bossom

Can the Parliamentary Secretary publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the location of all these factories?

Mr. Belcher

I think there are 2,066 of them, and to give the information the hon. Member desires would tie a pretty formidable task of printing, involving a great deal of paper. I do not know whether that would be justifiable.

Mr. Bossom

The Parliamentary Secretary seems to have some reasons for keeping this a secret. Why cannot the House know where these factories are being built?