§ 3. Mr. Dempseyasked the President of the Board of Trade what timetable for new developments he sets for proprietors who have been granted industrial de- 1688 velopment certificates; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. George Darling)Industrial development certificates are normally issued on the basis that an application for necessary planning permission must be made within a period of 12 months. My right hon. Friend has at present no powers to attach conditions to an i.d.c. about the date by which a project should commence, but under the Industrial Development Bill we are seeking powers which will enable us to make such conditions in appropriate cases.
§ Mr. DempseyIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a need to expedite the implementation of these certificates? Does he realise that, contrary to the general rule, in my own constituency unemployment has been rising until June, and will he try to do something very urgently to help these developments?
§ Mr. DarlingIt is for these reasons that we have put the conditions in the Bill.