HC Deb 27 October 1953 vol 518 cc2589-90
2. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Works the estimated value of new industrial buildings to be completed under licence in the calendar year 1953, and the comparative figures for 1952 and 1951; and how much in aggregate value is planned for 1954.

The Minister of Works (Sir David Eccles)

The value of new industrial buildings over 5,000 square feet exclusive of iron and steel and fuel and power projects completed in the calendar year 1951 and 1952 was £96 million and £69 million, respectively. Our figures show a considerable increase in corresponding work licensed in 1953, especially since the last Budget, but I have no means of estimating how much work will be done in 1954, although I have no doubt it will show a substantial increase.

3. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Works what licence-free limit for industrial buildings he proposes to allow in 1954 compared with the present limit of £2,000 per annum; and what estimate he has formed of the effects of removing this control altogether after 31st December, 1953.

Sir D. Eccles

The present Control of Building Operations Order expires on 31st December, and I am now considering what licence-free limits should be prescribed in the new Order.

Mr. Nabarro

Can my right hon. Friend give the House an assurance that his ultimate goal in this matter is the abolition of industrial building licensing and a return to complete freedom for industrialists, subject to planning control of course, for industrial building construction?

Sir D. Eccles

That is our ultimate goal, but we must have some form of control in overloaded areas. We shall have to arrange, supposing that too many factories are started in Luton or Coventry, or some place like that, that they can be fitted into the programme. Subject to that, our goal is total abolition.

Mr. P. Morris

In the meanwhile, will the Minister have special regard to the needs of Wales and the reconstruction areas, which are urgently in need of help?

Sir D. Eccles

So far as I know, licences are freely issued in Wales. I know of no refusals of industrial licences in Wales last year.

Mr. Chetwynd

Can the Minister, in his consideration, be sure to protect the needs of the Development Areas?

Mr. H. Nicholls

Would the Minister state that the ultimate goal of freedom from restriction and control applies not only to industry but to all forms of building, including houses and schools?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, Sir, but I think industrial development comes first.

Mr. Lee

Does the original reply mean that the availability of labour is not now taken into account before building on an industrial basis begins?

Sir D. Eccles

That is so. Since last April, so far as I am aware, no industrial licences have been refused anywhere in the Kingdom.

4. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Works what estimate he has made of the annual value, in present circumstances, of frustrated or choked-off new industrial building construction arising from licence refusals under the present system; and what is the aggregate cost to his Department, per annum, of operating the present industrial buildings licensing procedure.

Sir D. Eccles

Since the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his Budget speech on 14th April, licences for new factories or extensions to factories have been granted freely and I am not aware of any case in which an application concerning industrial production has been refused. The information requested in the second part of the Question is not available.

Mr. Nabarro

A very good answer.