HC Deb 17 May 1960 vol 623 cc1072-3
9 and 10. Mr. Loughlin

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will now consider amending the provisions of the Local Employment Act to enable assistance to be given to small firms which wish to transfer production or expand in areas of high unemployment or possible high unemployment but which are not designated as development districts under the terms of the Act;

(2) if he will now consider amending the provisions of the Local Employment Act to enable those Sections relating to the provision of basic services and improvement of amenities to apply to areas where a high level of unemployment is possible but where the area is not included in the list of development districts.

Mr. Maudling

No, Sir.

Mr. Loughlin

Does not the Minister think that, on the basis of his existing experience, it is possible to look very sympathetically at amending legislation where one sees the need for it, without giving what I consider a most contemptible reply to a Question aimed at helping areas that need employment? Does he not also agree that, provided that the small firms are economically sound, he might well at this juncture partly solve the unemployment problem in some of the development areas if he could give this assistance?

If I may now deal with Question No. 10, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he realises that many areas where unemployment is likely to develop, and particularly the older areas, are such that they cannot possibly attract industries in the future unless the basic services that are necessary for those industries are laid down?

Mr. Maudling

I appreciate the hon. Member's concern, but the House has just passed a new Measure in which certain inducements and certain general benefits are available to places that satisfy the criteria in the Section of the Act, and I think that to add to that a whole list of places that do not satisfy those criteria would be completely contrary to the purpose of the House in passing the recent Measure.

Mr. Jay

Is the President of the Board of Trade quite sure that he has included all the areas which do satisfy these criteria?

Mr. Maudling

That is, of course, an entirely different matter.

Mr. Loughlin

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that I desire to raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.