HC Deb 17 June 1948 vol 452 cc624-5
9. Mr. A. Edward Davies

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the delay which is taking place in dealing with applications for building licences from pottery manufacturers; and if he will take steps to expedite decisions.

Mr. H. Wilson

I am aware that the examination of individual industrial licence applications takes a considerable time. These applications have to be examined in relation to competing schemes for the limited resources available and there is an unavoidable need for consultation with other Departments concerned; this takes time. As announced by my right hon. and learned Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 23rd April, in reply to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers), Departments are, however, examining how these controls can be simplified and speeded up. I can assure my hon. Friend that the importance and urgency of the modernisation schemes put forward by pottery manufacturers are fully appreciated and that applications are dealt with as speedily as possible.

Mr. Davies

Does the Minister recognise that at least three months must elapse before we can get a decision one way or the other, and, while recognising the difficulty, could we have some information a little more speedily so that manufacturers will be the better able to plan their future course?

Mr. Wilson

I recognise that there have been delays due to the introduction of the cuts in the capital investment programme, but I have said that these matters will be speeded up. Of course, the great tragedy is that these very desirable improvements were not brought about before the war when the machinery was available