§ 56. Dr. David Owenasked the President of the Board of Trade if Plymouth is a potential growth area; and what positive measures he will take to encourage such growth in view of the competition from the surrounding development area from which Plymouth has been specially excluded.
§ Mr. JayI see no reason why growth should not take place at Plymouth; I am prepared to consider i.d.c. applications for the area.
§ Dr. OwenIs my right hon. Friend aware that we have recently lost a factory of 100 men, which has now been sited in Birmingham, and that lack of development area incentive grants particularly is affecting Plymouth's growth?
§ Mr. JayWe discussed this matter in the House last week. I believe that Ply- 1650 mouth has many attractions—as experience has shown—for industry. Wherever we draw a development area boundary, this difficulty is certain to arise.
§ Mr. Peter MillsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is no use going on in this vein? No firm will go to an area, however many industrial development certificates are granted, unless it gets a grant.