HC Deb 08 August 1980 vol 990 cc502-3W
Mr. Ray Powell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he intends to introduce directly to involve local authorities in building small factories and workshops;

(2) what help he will extend to local authorities which wish to undertake industrial development and promotion including industrial retraining.

Mr. King

My right hon. Friend announced on 10 June—[Vol. 986, c. 159]—that he had set up a joint group of officials from the local authority associations and Government Departments to review the means and powers currently employed by local authorities to foster industry and commerce and to encourage private sector employment. He is at present considering the group's report and will make an announcement in due course.