§ 14. Mr. J. Grimstonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the conditions which must in future be fulfilled to obtain official sanction to build a new factory in the South Wales development area.
Mr. H. WilsonIn general, we are anxious to see built in the South Wales development area any new factory which will give permanent employment of the kind needed. The project must, of course, be certified under the Town and Country Planning Act as consistent with the proper distribution of industry, and there must be local planning consent. The grant of the building licence depends upon a number of factors including the kind of production contemplated.
§ Mr. GrimstonHas the attention of the Minister been drawn to a recent article in "The Times Industrial Supplement," in which it is implied that there has been a change of policy, and will he try to correct that?
Mr. WilsonThere has been no change in policy in regard to factories in the development areas, except that, over the past two years, the capital investment cuts have been applied rather less severely in those areas than elsewhere.
§ Mr. AsshetonIs it the case that some of these factories have now become redundant?
Mr. WilsonIn one or two cases firms found it impossible to carry on for one reason or another, generally market conditions, and are moving out. We are trying to replace them by other firms.
§ Mr. GrimstonHas not the Minister had his attention drawn to the particular article to which I referred, and, if not, will he look at it and consider making a statement on it?