§ 55. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the President of the Board of Trade what more stringent criteria are being adopted for new factory building in Development Areas.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithAs I explained in answer to the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson) on 5th June, all applications have been deferred except for a very few of special importance and urgency.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIn view of the fact that the Estimate itself is already considerably reduced compared with those of previous years, does this not amount to a further example of the refusal of the Government to take any direction at all towards encouraging industry m the Development Areas?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNo, Sir. I explained to the House on 5th June the principles on which the Government were proceeding in regard to the applications for Government-financed factories in the Development Areas. I explained then that there was a separation into these two categories. In regard to those of special urgency, we have now decided in seven out of the eight cases to go ahead.