HC Deb 29 April 1965 vol 711 cc607-8
15 and 16. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) why he refused an industrial development certificate to a prospective manufacturer for a factory at Crediton, Devon;

2) to what extent it is his policy to encourage the establishment of light industry in the Crediton area of Devon.

Mr. Darling

The first consideration must be to get available industry to the development districts where the need for more employment is greatest, and it was in the light of this that an industrial development certificate was recently refused at Crediton. Subject to this priority, I am prepared to approve suitable projects by firms with ties to the Crediton area.

Mr. Mills

Why did not the Minister give that Answer earlier in a Written Answer when he refused to give the information? Frankly, all we are asking for is permission to start a small factory without any Government aid or help. I ask the Minister to think again, as local people are seriously disturbed by this refusal, bearing in mind the recent Report on the South-West which showed that industry was not only leaving, but being encouraged to leave.

Mr. Darling

The answer to the first part of the supplementary question is " Yes, Sir," and the answer to the second part is that discussions are still going on with the company concerned about the location of its project.

Mr. Heffer

Is my hon. Friend aware that the policy being pursued by the Government is widely welcomed on this side of the House, and that the greatest need is obviously to get factories and industries into the development districts, such as Merseyside, which really need them?

Mr. Darling

Yes, Sir.