§ 27. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has studied the annual report of the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas, and the suggestion contained therein that planning authorities in rural areas are obstructing its work; what action he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe council's corn-plaint is that some planning authorities 460 adopt too negative an attitude to proposals for industrial development in villages and small towns. I appreciate that there may sometimes be a conflict of interest between the council's concern to promote employment in rural areas and the local planning authority's more comprehensive responsibility for the planning of its area. But I believe that, in general, individual issues are capable of solution without interference from me, and where there is deadlock there is the normal planning process of an appeal to my right hon. and learned Friend against any adverse decision.
§ Mr. KingIs there not a danger in the growing habit of planning authorities to make arbitrary lists of villages which are then condemned to stagnation because no development of any kind is allowed, and do they not in that way forget the interests of the people living in such villages? Does not the report pinpoint that matter, and ought not my right hon. Friend to take further action in support of the views put forward in it?
§ Mr. PageI appreciate that there is a danger in that respect, but I am sure that county local planning authorities will realise that, if they refuse the sort of small rural industry with which COSIRA deals, they may be depriving a village of jobs, including jobs for school leavers and for wives. I am sure they pay attention to that. Perhaps I may add that in my hon. Friend's county the small industries committee works in good co-operation with the county planning authorities and sets an example to the country of the way it can be done.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganHas the right hon. Gentleman read a report which has particular relevance to this whole question, namely, the Bolton Report on small firms? Will he pay particular attention to the recommendation made therein that as regards small industries, particularly in rural areas, the Government should use their position as a massive purchaser of goods and services? Will the right hon. Gentleman take it that this has particular relevance to rural Wales, where the Government have not designated a single advance factory during their term of office, and will he act in a radical way in response to that suggestion?
§ Mr. PageThe hon. Gentleman is about six months behind the times. I recall that in Welsh Office circular No. 126/72 we commended to local authorities that statement in the Bolton Report. We shall continue to commend it to them.