§ 2. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications he has received for Board of Trade direction certificates for sites for new industries in Dorset; how many have been granted; and how many refused.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. David Price)Since the Local Employment Act came into operation on 1st April, 1960, 47 applications for certificates for industrial building in Dorset have been received. Forty were granted, two rejected and five withdrawn by the applicants before a decision was reached. Some of the applications granted and both those rejected were from firms not previously operating in the County of Dorset.
§ Mr. DigbyWhile I am glad to hear that the figures sound as well as that, may I ask whether my hon. Friend is aware that there is a feeling in Dorset that we are being deprived of our fair share of new industries because we have very full employment there but that we do require new industries to provide better paid jobs?
§ Mr. PriceI do not think that the figures which I have just quoted to my hon. Friend bear out the fears that people in Dorset have, but in any case it must be the purpose of my right hon. Friend to give first priority to the development districts when any new industries are available.
§ Mr. J. T. PriceCan the hon. Gentleman tell the House how many of these refusals were made to South Dorset?