HC Deb 11 December 1968 vol 775 cc412-3
34. Mr. Judd

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many requests for industrial development certificates he has received from Portsmouth in 1968; and how many he has granted.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

In the nine months ended September, 1968, 18 industrial development certificates for 432,000 sq. ft. were issued in the Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport and Fareham employment exchange areas. No applications were refused.

Mr. Judd

In view of the unemployment level in Portsmouth, which is higher than the national average and twice that of the region of which it is a part, would the hon. Lady assure us that a positive attitude will always be shown towards requests of this kind?

Mrs. Dunwoody

We must always take the immediate needs of the development areas into priority consideration. Having said that, I assure the hon. Gentleman that we are aware that the seaside towns are facing some difficultties; and we are giving them as much sympathetic consideration as we can.