§ Mr. Brooman-Whiteasked the President of the Board of Trade the latest figures for approvals of new factory building and extensions for Scotland and Great Britain, respectively; and whether, on a percentage basis, this shows an improvement or decline in the relative position of Scotland as compared with 1952 and 1953.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe figures for the first quarter of 1954 are: Scotland 37 approvals, at an estimated total value of £64.43 million; Great Britain, 12,306 approvals at an estimated total value of £657.23 million. On a percentage basis,90W these show a decline in the relative position of Scotland for the first quarter compared with 1952 and 1953. A quarter is, however, too short a period on which to base a comparison. It is expected that the figures of approvals for Scotland in the second quarter of this year, when available, will show an increase both over those for the first quarter and over those for the same quarter in 1952 and 1953.