§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the state of the building industry in Cornwall.
§ Mr. KaufmanCornwall is affected by the general decline in demand on the construction industry. The Government have taken a number of steps which will help the industry. Action has been taken to assist both public and private house building and my right hon. Friend is considering what further initiatives might be taken. The Government announced in September an additional £120 million of public expenditure in order to assist the construction industry, and measures announced in the Budget, such as the increase in the initial tax allowance for industrial buildings, should also be of assistance. I shall keep the situation in the industry under close review.
§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps designed to stimulate the building industry in the North-West of England in view of growing unemployment in that region.
§ Mr. KaufmanAction has been taken to assist both public and private house building and I am considering what further initiatives might be taken. The Government announced in September an additional £120 million of public expenditure in order to assist the construction industry. Moreover, measures announced in the Budget, such as the increase in the initial tax allowance for industrial buildings, should be of assistance to the industry. I shall keep the situation in the industry under close review.