HC Deb 18 July 1961 vol 644 cc122-3W
Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether applications from firms with a large and potentially growing export trade are given special consideration by his Department if they wish to obtain industrial development certificates to enable them to expand their factories and plant within the reasonable proximity of their existing premises; and what is the general policy of his Department in connection with the granting of such certificates when the withholding of them may affect adversely the increase of exports by the firms concerned.

Mr. Maudling

In determining an application for an industrial development certificate, all the circumstances are fully taken into account, including the company's export trade. At the same time, we have to have regard to the needs of the development districts for additional employment and to the wider effects on the national economy of unrestricted expansion in areas of labour shortage.

Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industrial development certificates have been issued since the enactment of the Local Employment Act, 1960, and for the last three months, respectively; and for which regions these certificates were granted.

Mr. R. Maudling

The provisional figures, by standard regions, are as follows:

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES ISSUED NUMBERS
Standard Region 1st April, 1960 to 30th June, 1961 1st April 1961 to 30th June, 1961
Northern 186 52
East and West Ridings 306 56
North Midland 279 68
Eastern 320 66
London and South Eastern 508 99
Southern 220 41
South Western 209 34
Wales 157 34
Midland 391 78
North Western 445 79
Scotland 181 33
Great Britain 3,202 640