HC Deb 10 December 1970 vol 808 cc668-9
Q10. Mr. Atkinson

asked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to reduce the number of Ministers in the Department for Trade and Industry.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir.

Mr. Atkinson

Is the Prime Minister aware that on 17th November the Minister for Industry stated that the Government had sent a circular to all private employers telling them that they must make only one wage offer and that if that offer is rejected by the workers concerned a second offer must not be made? Does that represent Government policy?

The Prime Minister

I should like to see the document to which the hon. Gentleman referred. In any case, it has nothing whatever to do with the number of Ministers in the Department for Trade and Industry.

Mr. Maclennan

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what consultations Ministers in the Department for Trade and Industry had with Scottish interests before they decided to alter the rules on industrial development certificates? Their action has been greeted with disapprobation in Scotland and is regarded as very damaging to employment prospects in Scotland.

The Prime Minister

The matter was very carefully considered before the decision was reached. I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's view. The change will allow the great majority of these buildings to be built without going through the administrative process, and it will not affect to any appreciable degree the movement of industry to other parts of the country.