HC Deb 01 February 1963 vol 670 c240W
Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the insured population is covered by the development districts; and to what extent this percentage has varied in each year of the operation of the Local Employment Act.

Mr. Erroll

The Local Employment Act came into operation in April, 1960. At that date the areas listed as development districts accounted for 12.6 per cent. of all insured employees. On the latest available figures of insured employees, the comparable percentages for development districts as listed at April, 1961, April, 1962, and January, 1963, were 12.6, 11.5 and 12.1.

Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider applying a much lower rate of interest to Board of Trade factories built in development districts for sale on amortisation terms.

Mr. Erroll

No. I have no reason to think that a lower rate of interest would result in more firms moving to development districts.