HC Deb 27 October 1966 vol 734 c1289
25. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to encourage industry in the Okehampton area of Devon.

Mr. Darling

I am always prepared to consider sympathetically I.D.C. applications for projects suited to the resources of the area.

Mr. Mills

Does the Minister realise the extreme disappointment that exists in this area of Devon because of the fact that an industrial firm that was coming is now not coming, due to the economic squeeze imposed by the Government? Will he take steps to see that some form of help such as is given in development areas is given in this area? If he does not we shall never overcome this serious problem.

Mr. Darling

This is not the only firm that has decided, in the past few years, not to come to this area. On the basis of the unemployment situation—as I have already explained to the hon. Member—it would be difficult to schedule this as a development area, but we certainly should look at the reasons why firms in the past have not followed up their applications.