§ Mr. Piratinasked the President of the Board of Trade why there were fewer new factories and extensions approved on 30th April, 1947, than on 31st December; and what is the reason for the reduction of approved new factories and extensions in the Development Areas from 1,085 on 31st 256W December, 1945, to 770 on 3oth April, 1947.
§ Mr. BelcherThe hon. Member appears to be comparing figures published in, the Board of Trade Journal on 8th February with those given in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Abertillery (Mr. Daggar) on 12th June. The figures given in the former case related to approvals given during the period November, 1944, to 31st December, 1946, and in the latter case to approvals given during the period 31st July, 1945, to 30th April, 1947, and the totals given are therefore not comparable.