HC Deb 24 June 1952 vol 502 cc2029-30
38. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Works how many building maintenance licences were issued by his Department to industrial undertakings during 12 months ended 31st May, 1952, or latest convenient date; what was the aggregate value of such licences; and whether he will consider substituting for the present system an open general licence granting to every industrial undertaking an entitlement to spend on building maintenance a sum properly related to the assessment of the property to general rates or similar formula.

Mr. Eccles

During the 12 months ended May, 1952, 41,570 annual maintenance licences to a total value of £30,833,767 were issued by my Department.

I have very carefully considered the suggestion in the third part of the Hon. Member's Question and, as the matter is very complicated, I have written to explain why I do not think it would be an improvement on our existing system.

39. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Works how many licences for new construction, reconditioning and renovation, excluding building maintenance licences, were issued by his Department to industrial undertakings during 12 months ended 31st May, 1952, or latest convenient date; what was the aggregate value of such licences; and how many such licences were in respect of applications to spend less than the sum of £1,000.

Mr. Eccles

The number of licences issued to industrial undertakings (excluding the annual maintenance licences) during the 12 months ending 31st May, 1952, was 45,416, to an aggregate value of £ 130,770,140. 11,911 licences amounting to £5,551,117 were in respect of applications to spend less than £1,000 on new work; I regret that figures for reconditioning and renovation under £1,000 are not available.

Mr. Nabarro

Would my right hon. Friend undertake to give further consideration to this problem in view of the fact that industrial undertakings at present often have to apply for a large number of small licences for maintenance work in connection with putting in machinery or undertaking work of that kind, all of which causes a great deal of administrative work to the firms and to the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

Mr. Eccles

I have not had many complaints, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars I will certainly look into them.