HC Deb 01 February 1971 vol 810 cc247-9W
Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial development certificates have been approved in Barnsley and district during 1969 and 1970; what is the total factory space, and what is the proposed employment for males and the proposed total employment.

Mr. Ridley

The information is given below:—

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED IN BARNSLEY EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AREA
Estimated Additional Employment*
Number Area ('000 sq. ft.) Males Total
1969 … 22 453 370 510
1970 … 18 240 130 360
* Applicants' estimates of the additional employment expected to arise when projects are complete and fully manned.

Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the full benefits for the attraction of industry and the clearance of dereliction now available to Barnsley County Borough and its surrounding districts; what effects these new inducements are having on the creation of new industry and the expansion of established firms; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

Barnsley is part of the Yorkshire Coalfield Intermediate Area. Intermediate Areas benefit from the following preferential measures:

1. ASSISTANCE UNDER THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT ACT, 1970

  1. i. grants at 25 per cent., and in special cases 35 per cent., towards cost of factory building;*
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  2. ii. factory building by the Department of Trade and Industry through the Industrial Estates Corporation—both custom built and advance factories;
  3. iii. payments towards cost of transferring key workers to new undertakings;
  4. iv. financial assistance to local authorities and other bodies for the improvement of basic services where this is expedient with a view to contributing to the development of industry;
  5. v. financial assistance to local authorities towards the cost of acquiring and improving derelict land where it is expedient with a view to contributing to the development of industry in the locality. The rate of grant for eligible derelict land clearance schemes in the Barnsley Intermediate Area is 75 per cent.

* Building grants and factory building by the Department of Trade and Industry are linked to the provision of employment.

2. TRAINING ASSISTANCE

The full range of development area training grants and other training assistance are also available.

3. I.D.C. POLICY

Industrial development certificates are available on the same basis as in development areas.

4. INITIAL ALLOWANCES

Initial allowances are available for new industrial buildings and structures at a rate of 40 per cent., which was introduced as a temporary measure in April, 1970, and which the Government announced in October, 1970, will continue indefinitely. The national rate, presently at 30 per cent., will revert to 15 per cent. on 5th April, 1972.

From 1st July, 1969 to 31st December, 1970, 42 industrial development certificates have been issued for developments in the Barnsley group of employment exchange areas which the firms concerned estimate will give rise to 1,270 new jobs.