§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that up to 14th March, 1959, the Lanark County Council had received no information from his Department about the revived facilities available to local authorities for help in preparing industrial sites or improving amenities under Section 5 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, of which official notice was given more than a month ago; and when local authorities will be informed.
§ Mr. J. RodgersA circular was issued to all local authorities in the Development Areas in Scotland, including Lanark County Council, by the Department of Health for Scotland on 12th March, 1959.
§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider arranging differential rentals at concessionary rates to attract industries to government-built or local-authority-built factories in the Lanarkshire Development Area.
§ Mr. J. RodgersIf my hon. Friend's proposal is that Lanarkshire tenants should receive a concession denied to tenants in other Development Areas, the answer is "No". Rents are fixed at the current market value, and do not yield an economic return on the investment. In addition, I recently announced an abatement for the first five years of new leases 95W of empty factories. We have no jurisdiction over the rents charged by local authorities.