HC Deb 15 March 1960 vol 619 cc1094-5
3. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek the consent of the firms concerned to publish the financial and other terms under which they have recently been induced to go to South Wales, Merseyside and Scotland.

Mr. J. Rodgers

No. Sir.

Mr. Hamilton

Why not? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that considerable sums of public money are involved here and that his hon. Friends are repeatedly asking for more control over the spending of public money? Cannot we be assured of their support, and, if we get it over this quite reasonable request, will the hon. Gentleman undertake to reconsider the matter?

Mr. Rodgers

No, Sir. It would be quite wrong for the Board of Trade to put itself in a position where it would have to ask firms in receipt of D.A.T.A.C. assistance and other forms of assistance to disclose details of that assistance.