§ 21. Mr. Jayasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is still the policy of the Government to restrain expansion of industry and employment in the Greater London area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftYes, Sir. I have nothing to add to the reply made to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. Hamilton) on 22nd November last.
§ Mr. JayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that recent figures of factory approvals have raised anxiety that the Government may be weakening on what we thought was the non-party policy of restraining the expansion of London, and, if that is so, it will make insoluble the housing situation in the Central London area?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftOn examination, I think the right hon. Gentleman will find that many of these approvals are extensions of industries which have proved successful in the area. It is difficult, and indeed may be wrong, to refuse industrial development certificates in that situation.
§ Mr. JayDoes not the President realise that almost all new factory building is extension, and that if he carried out his doctrine to anything like 100 per cent. we should lose control? I hope he realises that, as I am sure he will if he examines the figures.