§ 37. Mr. Pentlandasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the rate of new industrial building for the years 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, and to the latest available date in 1961, in the northern, midland, and southern regions of England, giving each region separately.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonAs the Answer involves a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. PentlandWould not the hon. Gentleman agree that the figures reveal that the rate of new industrial building has declined in the northern region over past years, and particularly in northeast England, whereas in other regions it has increased rapidly? Can he tell us what the Government intend to do or what policy they intend to pursue to bring about a more equal distribution of industry in the country?
§ Mr. MacphersonNo, Sir. The year 1957 was a period of high construction after which there was a dip in 1958. Since then there has been an increase in all three regions.
§ Following is the information:
§ The areas, in millions of square feet, covered by Industrial Development Certificates issued in the three standard regions were:
| Standard Region | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 Jan.-March | |
| Northern | … | 7.3 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 4.2 | 1.0 |
| Midland | … | 10.4 | 6.1 | 7.5 | 10.9 | 1.3 |
| Southern | … | 3.8 | 2.9 | 4.2 | 6.6 | 1.2 |