§ 32. Mr. Deedesasked the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions, since 1954, industrial development certificates have been refused to firms wishing to establish factories in Ashford, Kent.
§ Mr. MaudlingOn one occasion.
§ Mr. DeedesDoes it seem altogether satisfactory to my right hon. Friend that he should have powers—and on this occasion a very big firm was involved —to prevent, under the Town Development Act, an industry from entering a town, but apparently has no influence at all over such a decision as that taken by Tube Investments, which will involve the closing in the town of one of the principal sources of employment?
§ Mr. MaudlingWe have refused one application since 1948 and we have in fact approved thirty-nine applications, so I think that the record in Ashford is reasonable. But we cannot possibly force a firm to stay in business. Although 330 hon. Members would often like us to do so, I think that the House has to recognise that we have not, and could not possibly possess, powers to compel any private enterprise to continue in business when it thought that it was not economically justified in doing so.
§ Mr. DeedesIs my right hon. Friend consulted?
§ Mr. MaudlingNot necessarily, no.