§ Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many industrial building approval certificates have been issued in Wales in the first nine months of 1972 and in the equivalent period for each year since 1968; and if he will give the figures of jobs expected and of millions of square feet approved in each year.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantFollowing are details of industrial development certificates issued. The figures are not directly comparable because IDC control was abolished in July 1972 in the development and special development areas, which form the larger part of Wales. In addition the exemption limit below which IDCs are not required was raised in December 1970 and July 1972.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanThe Atomic Energy Establishment at Dounreay is engaged on a continuing programme of work on the sodium-cooled fast reactor and will be for many years. As the House was informed on 8th August, the Government see this type of reactor as the main element, in the long term, of 155W our generation of electricity by nuclear power and intends to proceed as rapidly as possible with its development. A large part of the development work will be carried out at Dounreay. The 250 megawatt (electricity) prototype fast reactor is nearing completion there and will be commissioned next year.—[Vol. 842, c. 1491–3.]