§ 27. Mr. William Priceasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied with the permitted rate of industrial development in the West Mid lands; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth DunwoodyAs I told my hon. Friend on 12th February, the approval of i.d.cs for 11.5 million sq. ft. of industrial space in the West Midlands in 1968 combined with a level of unemployment below the national average does not in any way suggest that industrial growth in the West Midlands is being unduly restricted—[Vol. 777, c. 305–6.]
§ Mr. PriceIs my hon. Friend aware that some of the less honourable Members opposite—[HON. MEMBERS: "With draw."]—are trying to create the impression that the Government have stopped industrial development in the West Midlands? Is that not odd in view of the fact that—
§ Mr. CorfieldOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it in order for an hon. Member to suggest that any other hon. Members is not honourable or is dishonourable?
§ Mr. SpeakerIt would be out of order to suggest that one hon. Member is not honourable but charges may be levelled against a group.
§ Mr. PriceIs this allegation not odd in view of the fact that, despite the Government's regional policies, which we in the West Midlands support, more industrial development certificates are going to that area now than ever went there under the Tories?
§ Mrs. DunwoodyI am grateful for those remarks. I am fascinated by the schizoid attitude of hon. Members opposite towards this matter. They suggest one thing in the West Midlands and elsewhere and something totally different in the development areas.