§ 3.18 p.m.
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government in what respects and in what areas they have tightened up the issue of industrial development certificates.]
§ LORD RHODESMy Lords, my right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade has instructed the Board's Regional Controllers to look more critically at applications for industrial development certificates in areas, for instance in the Midlands and the South East, where there is a serious shortage of labour.
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that the officials concerned have always been instructed to look as critically as possible at such applications? He says that they will look "more critically", but is he aware that it would be impossible for them to look more critically than they did before? If he wants to get more industry away from the congested areas to other areas, will he consider new methods of doing so? In particular, will he press for a look at the question of the occupation of existing premises, which of course is often an easy option for firms which are refused development certificates?
§ LORD RHODESMy Lords, may I say that that is a sensible suggestion. I will take it back to the President of the Board of Trade.