HC Deb 01 May 1956 vol 552 cc25-6W
78. Mr. Nabarro

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much new factory space has been completed during each of five years ended 31st March. 1956; and, when issuing industrial certificates for this new factory space, what minimum standards of structural thermal insulation he required in the interests of coal conservation.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The answer to the first part of the Question is given below. As to the second part of the Question, the Board of Trade has no power to prescribe such standards as a condition of the issue of an industrial development certificate which relates solely to the distribution of industry.

AREA OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS* COMPLETED IN GREAT BRITAIN IN THE PERIODS SPECIFIED
Year ended 31st March '000 square feet
1951 24,535
1952 37,008
1953 29,625
1954 30,774
1955 37,558
Nine months ended 31st December, 1955† 31,594
Note

* The figures relate to new buildings and extensions to existing buildings, over 5,000 square feet, for manufacturing industry.

†The figures are based on information received by the Board of Trade up to the end of March, 1956. The figure for the last three-quarters of 1955 is likely to be revised upwards as further information becomes available. Figures for the first quarter of 1956 are not yet available.