§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Industry what special allowances are available for the retraining of workers in the Greater London Council area in new industrial skills; and what relaxation has been allowed on industrial development certificates and advertising to attract industry to this area.
Mr. Alan WilliamsDuring 1976 an experimental scheme was announced for the issue of industrial development certificates for the speculative replacement of obsolete industrial buildings, and the IDC exemption limits were raised from 5,000 sq. ft. to 12,500 sq. ft. in South-East England. London is able to benefit from both changes.
On advertising, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment announced last August that the Government accepted that there should be some relaxation of the present statutory restriction on the advertising of London's commercial and industrial advantages. Proposals to give effect to a relaxation subject to the control of the Secretary of State for the Environment are included in the Greater London Council (General Powers) Bill which is now before Parliament.
Training allowances are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.