§ 37. Mrs. Renee Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage industrial building.
§ Mr. Freeson:I have encouraged industrial building through the planning system, as part of the Government's policy on inner cities and through my responsibilities for the new towns and for sponsoring the construction industry. The principal measures I have taken are:
- i. I have advised local planning authorities in circular 71/77 to give first priority to applications for industrial development, as I do with applications which come before me for determination. A guide to the planning system has been prepared by the National Building Agency for issue to firms intending to develop.
- ii. The Inner Urban Areas Act 1978 gives certain local authorities a variety of powers to help industry, including loans for works on land and grants for converting or improving industrial buildings—I have recently designated 43 districts where these powers may be used.
- iii. The new towns corporations have a large programme for the construction of new industrial buildings.
- iv. I have supported the work to implement the recommendations in the report"Construction for Industrial Recovery"prepared by the building and civil engineering EDC's.