§ 26. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development to what extent his policy in relation to industry in Dorset is based on the grounds that the economy is flourishing, unemployment is low and that communications are under way.
§ Mr. du CannI take all material considerations into account. I am always prepared to look sympathetically at applications for industrial development certificates for projects in Dorset that cannot go to develoment districts.
§ Mr. DigbyWhether my hon. Friend considers that Dorset is in the North-West or the South-East—about which I am not clear from an Answer to a previous Question—is he aware that in the Report on the South-East it has received scant attention? Is he aware that we have no prospect whatever of getting new roads? In the Report on the South-East communications are mentioned as being of particular importance, but we are not getting them.
§ Mr. du CannWhether Dorset is in the South-East or the South-West, obviously it is affected by its proximity 1574 to London, and hence there is a reference to i[...] in the South-East study. Speaking as an hon. Member from the West Country, I regard my hon. Friend as a West Country Member also. The Minister of Transport announced in the House at the end of January that over £6 million had been spent on roads in Dorset for the five years ending 31st March, 1963. In addition five classified road schemes, valued at £265,000, have been committed by the Ministry of Transport in the current financial year. Between 1st April, 1960, and 29th February, 1964, I.D.C.s have been approved for 51 projects in Dorset.