HC Deb 25 November 1958 vol 596 c207
29. Mr. C. Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for industrial development certificates were received by his Department during the six months ended 31st October, 1958; and how many were rejected.

Mr. J. Rodgers

1,461 applications involving about 31 million square feet were received during this period, and 25 applications totalling about 1.4 million square feet were rejected. In addition, many proposals were modified as a result of interviews with the firms concerned.

Mr. Hughes

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what steps are taken by his Department to induce industrialists whose applications have been rejected to come to areas where there is a high incidence of unemployment?

Mr. Rodgers

These negotiations are taking place all the time and we have had a great deal of success in many instances.

Mr. Gower

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what proportion of these applications has been in respect of sites in Wales, and what proportion has been rejected?

Mr. Rodgers

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down a specific Question on that topic.