§ 19. Mr. Eadieasked the President of the Board of Trade what procedures his department carries out when a proposal is put to them to transfer a factory from one county to another.
§ Mr. JayFor a new factory of more than 5,000 sq. ft. the usual industrial development certificate procedure applies.
§ Mr. EadieIs my right hon. Friend aware that my Question is prompted by a certain amount of anger and frustration felt by some of my constituents because such a transfer has taken place? Does he not think that, because the taxpayers' money is involved to some extent, there should be an investigation into the finances concerned in this matter?
§ Mr. JayI do not think that we should normally wish to intervene where a firm travels from one part of a development area to another. As far as our powers go, of course we cannot prevent, although we might try to dissuade, a firm moving from one area. But we have the power to grant or refuse an I.D.C. for it to build another factory.
§ Mr. Hall-DavisWhen an application is received in connection with the removal of a factory into a development area, is account taken of the effect on employment in the area from which it is moving?
§ Mr. JayCertainly, but it is very rare for a firm to move from one area to another. In the vast majority of cases, an extension is placed in a new area.