HC Deb 07 November 1972 vol 845 cc125-6W
Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of the industrial development certificates applied for and granted in Nottinghamshire in the last two years: and if he will also give details of the existing jobs provided thereby.

Mr. Anthony Grant

A total of 160 IDCs were approved and four refused between 1st October, 1970, and 30th September, 1972, in the employment exchange areas most closely approximating to Nottinghamshire. Following are the details:

Area Estimated Additional Employment*
1,000 sq.ft. Male Total
Approvals 2,844 2,610 4,520
Refusals 141 190 260

The exemption limit for IDCs was raised from 3,000 sq. ft. to 5,000 sq. ft. in December. 1970 and then to 15,000 sq. ft. in July, 1972.

* Jobs estimated by the applicants to arise when the projects are complete and fully manned.

Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken to ensure greater flexibility in the granting of industrial development certificates, particularly in Nottinghamshire; and how long this has been so.

Mr. Anthony Grant

IDCs have been more readily available since 22nd March, 1972, for modernisation schemes involving some increase in employment. On 19th July, 1972, IDCs were abolished in the development and special development areas and the exemption limits, below which IDCs are not required, were raised to 10,000 sq. ft. in the South-East and to 15,000 sq. ft. elsewhere, including Nottinghamshire.