HC Deb 26 July 1960 vol 627 cc1275-6
17. Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the dominant factors which are taken into account in considering applications for assistance under the Board of Trade Advisory Committee scheme.

Mr. Maudling

The factors which are taken into account are the requirements laid down in the Local Employment Act. Dominant amongst these are the location of the project, the employment it is likely to provide, the expenditure involved and the applicant's prospects of success.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there have been fourteen applications for aid under the scheme since it was introduced, but that, to the best of my knowledge, no application has yet been granted? Will he please again look very closely into this, because there is a most pressing need in the South-West, and particularly in Cornwall, for some kind of additional industry? We have not had any additional industries as yet.

Mr. Maudling

I gather that there have been fourteen applications from Cornwall, of which eleven are under consideration. I must say that I follow this as closely as I can, and I have satisfied myself that the considerations laid down by Parliament when passing the Local Employment Act are being closely followed.