§ 25. Mr. Jayasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he intends to take to restrain the further growth of factory and office employment in the London area, which is leading to overcrowding of housing and other public services.
§ Mr. ErrollMy right hon. Friend will continue the policy of successive Governments in resisting, where he has the powers to do so, the introduction of new industrial firms into the London area. Applications to extend by firms already established in the area will continue to be dealt with on their merits. He has no powers over offices as such.
§ Mr. JayDoes the Parliamentary Secretary realise that the housing situation in London is now worse than it has ever been, due to excessive growth of both factory and office employment? Will the Board of Trade really take its powers a little more seriously?
§ Mr. ErrollI have looked into this matter very carefully, and I am quite sure that the Department is taking its powers in this matter very seriously. There are a number of conflicting factors which have to be taken into account.