HC Deb 25 April 1977 vol 930 cc714-5
22. Mr. Emery

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what action he is taking in Devon and Cornwall to introduce new industries to help to overcome the unacceptable level of unemployment in the sub-region of the South-West.

Mr. Alan Williams

In the assisted parts of the South-West, all the normal regional incentives are available to encourage new industrial investment. Throughout the region firms with eligible projects can apply for assistance under the selective investment scheme or appropriate industry schemes.

Mr. Emery

Does the Minister realise that in areas which are not assisted unemployment is running as high as 11 per cent. in certain pockets? Will he take specific action to encourage light engineering firms thinking of expanding to go to areas in which the needs of these industries could be met as reasonably as in any other part of the country?

Mr. Williams

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's point. I am sure that he in turn will appreciate that, where the mobile industry available is limited, the Government have to give the top priority to the assisted areas. Therefore, when firms ask our advice we naturally tend to try to persuade them to look to the assisted areas. If it is any reassurance to the hon. Gentleman, we are certainly not refusing industrial development certificates in the area which he represents or the surrounding areas. We would look sympathetically at any applications.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

Is the Minister aware that, by the Department of the Environment refusing consent under Section 42 of the Community Land Act, local authorities are prevented from selling sites to firms which wish to bring new employment to the area with which my hon. Fiend the Member for Honiton (Mr. Emery) is concerned? Will the Minister look into that situation, because the Department of the Environment is promoting unemployment in this way?

Mr. Williams

Obviously the hon. Gentleman is referring to specific instances of which he is aware and I am not. This is clearly a matter for the Department of the Environment basically, but in so far as the subject has a regional employment aspect I would welcome further information from him.