§ 24. Mr. Lawsonasked the President of the Board of Trade what legislative or other proposals he has for controlling the growth of new office employment to ensure its distribution to areas of high unemployment.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonI would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on this in the course of the debate on distribution of industry on 26th June.
§ Mr. LawsonIs not this just one of the examples that we have in mind where thousands of jobs are being created in areas of high employment such as London and the Midlands? Is it not time that steps were taken to control office building as well as factory building? Office work is surely as much an industry as factory work. If it is proper to control the location of factories, why is it not proper to control the location of offices?
§ Mr. MacphersonIt is very difficult to debate this matter by way of Question and Answer. We had an opportunity of debating it a few days ago.
§ Mr. JayWill the hon. Gentleman at least undertake to examine mare seriously the practical suggestions made in last week's debate and not merely give routine answers?
§ Mr. MacphersonI said in last week's debate that we were examining the whole question. I cannot go further than that.