HC Deb 26 June 1969 vol 785 cc1687-8
14. Mr. Hall-Davis

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what criteria he has decided should be applied to the level of employment to be provided to qualify for the employment-linked 25 per cent. building grant in the intermediate areas.

Mr. Urwin

The same criteria as are applied under the Local Employment Acts in relation to building grants in development areas.

Mr. Hall-Davis

Will the Minister of State make absolutely clear in his statements and in the publications of his Department that the Government's proposed building grants which are linked with employment differ fundamentally from and fall far short of the recommendation of the Hunt Committee, which was that all industrial building of a capital nature should receive building grants?

Mr. Urwin

This is an entirely different question. There is no evidence to justify the hon. Gentleman's criticism about falling short of the Hunt Committee's recommendation. Had we accepted the Hunt Committee's recommendation, we should have been guilty of a complete departure of policy in relation to the 25 per cent. building grant as it has always been related to job provision within the development areas.