§ 31. Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to prevent the building of public housing on inner city sites currently occupied by small manufacturing businesses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HeseltineNo. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State on 16 November. We continue to emphasise that local authorities should in all their decisions give a high priority to the needs of industry especially of smaller firms and in inner areas. Where a local authority cannot avoid disturbing a firm, it has been asked to be as helpful as possible about relocation.—[Vol. 973, c.859.…
§ 32. Sir William Elliottasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to encourage the growth of small businesses in inner cities.
§ Mr. KingSpecial assistance is available in certain parts of the country under the Department of Industry's regional policy and through local authorities under the urban programme. In general, Government policy is designed to help small firms wherever they may be located.