§ 4. Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about his visit to Basildon.
§ The Minister for Trade (Mr. Paul Channon)My right hon. Friend has not visited Basildon recently, but I am looking forward to doing so this Friday at my hon. Friend's invitation.
§ Mr. AmessWe very much look forward to my right hon. Friend's visit on Friday. Is he aware of the increasing importance of Basildon as a growing centre of industry and commerce, as demonstrated by Essex county council holding its first business and industry exhibition in the area and the arrival of Access in the town, with 1,180 jobs, and of the substantial Alders department store?
§ Mr. ChannonYes, I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. I am sure that the whole House will join him in welcoming rate-capping on Basildon, which will make it even more attractive to industry, as the burden of rates will be reduced. Indeed, there are signs that Basildon will become almost as attractive as Southend.
§ Mr. MarlowWhen my right hon. Friend visits Basildon, will he go into a branch of a clearing bank and get a British Telecom offer for sale document, from which he will notice that the clearing banks will take £3.25 for every £100 of shares taken by shareholders? Will he do something to prevent the clearing banks from taking that money?
§ Mr. ChannonWith respect to my hon. Friend, his question raises an issue which is not directly relevant to the question asked by our hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Amess).