HC Deb 10 March 1970 vol 797 cc301-2W
Mr. Binns

asked the Minister of Technology what modifications he has made in the operation of the industrial development certificate policy in the overspill towns.

Mr. Rena

My right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio accepted the need, following the Report of the Committee on the Intermediate Areas under the Chairmanship of Sir Joseph Hunt, for a somewhat more flexible i.d.c. policy for moves to those overspill towns where planned development may be held up if the flow of industry from an exporting area is impeded. The i.d.c. control will, of course, continue to be operated so as to give first priority to the development areas and the new intermediate areas. But I have already made some limited exceptions, after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning, to take account of the needs of the few overspill towns experiencing such difficulties. For example, save in exceptional circumstances, i.d.c.s are at present available for all firms moving to Telford from the West Midlands conurbation and to existing firms wishing to expand there; and I am glad to say that the prospects for keeping employment in balance with housing at Telford have improved. Similar arrangements are operating in the case of Daventry and will be made in exceptional cases for other overspill towns in difficulties, in all cases to apply only until a satisfactory balance between housing and employment can be foreseen.

In addition, in view of the substantial growth planned for Milton Keynes, there may be a need to encourage the movement of new industry in the early stages of its industrial development, and I will consider sympathetically applications from London firms prepared to move to the town. We will continue to keep the progress of house building and the provision of industrial employment in these and the other overspill towns under review in the light of the Government's general policy for regional development.