HC Deb 30 November 1970 vol 807 cc877-9
10 and 11. Mr. Boyden

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many new jobs are expected to arise in the Northern Region from the industrial development certificates issued during the three months ending 31st October 1970;

(2) how many new jobs are expected to arise in the Bishop Auckland constituency from the industrial development certificates issued during the three months ended 31st October, 1970.

Sir J. Eden

In the period 1st August to 31st October, 1970, industrial development certificates for 1 million square feet were issued in the Northern Region. The schemes concerned are estimated by the applicants to provide 1,580 additional jobs, 1,200 of them for males. No certificates were issued during the same period in the employment exchange areas of Bishop Auckland, Barnard Castle and Shildon, which most nearly correspond to the Bishop Auckland constituency.

Mr. Boyden

In view of the disappointing figures for South-West Durham, would the Minister give consideration to asking the Regional Controller to make a special effort to visit the local authorities to see what could be done by way of more co-operation between local authorities, the county council and his Department?

Sir J. Eden

Yes, Sir. I will certainly do that. The situation is being very closely watched at the moment. The jobs expected to arise during the next few years in authorised new buildings in the Northern Region as a whole total about 39,000, of which over 4,000 are in the Bishop Auckland travel-to-work area.

Mr. Fernyhough

When the Minister says that the development certificates which have been given represented just over 1,000 new jobs between the beginning of August and the end of October in the Northern Region, is he aware that as a consequence of the Minister's attitude we lost as many jobs at Palmers Hebburn, that Glacier Metals and British Oxygen have closed, and that if closures go on at this pace it will be necessary for the Government to redouble their efforts to maintain the present employment level, let alone reduce unemployment?

Sir J. Eden

The Question was about industrial certificates and the investment measures designed to meet problems created by closure and unemployment.

Mr. Varley

Will the Minister accept that if the development areas are to get the projects they deserve, it will only be through the strict observance of an i.d.c. policy? Could he give an absolute assurance that his Department will ensure that the i.d.c. policy is observed as strictly as was done by the Labour Government.

Sir J. Eden

The i.d.c. policy is under review with the rest of our regional policies.