§ 16. Mr. Willisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he will make an announcement concerning the control of office development.
§ Sir K. JosephI hope to make a statement about the office problem after the Christmas Recess.
§ Mr. WillisCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has also consulted his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to ensure that whatever is done is done purposely to bring about a much fairer distribution of this form of employment? Will he try to direct some of it to the North, and to Scotland?
§ Sir K. JosephYes. It certainly is Government policy to spread this employment over a wide range of areas.
§ Mr. CostainWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind, in producing this documentation, the fact that we are at the moment passing the Shops, Offices and Railway Premises Bill through the House; that this will make a number of offices obsolete, and that if office building is curtailed there could be a big rise in rents?
§ Sir K. JosephYes, Sir.