HC Deb 18 June 1979 vol 968 cc385-6W
Miss Boothroyd

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the Official Report the following information in relation to the West Midlands region and Sandwell travel-to-work area, respectively, since 1975; the number of industrial development certificate applications refused; the number of industrial development certificates applications granted and the corresponding floor space and expected increase in jobs.

Mr. David Mitchell

During the period from 1975 to the end of March 1979, 1,138 industrial development certificates were approved in the West Midlands region, of which 166 were granted in the Dudley and Sandwell travel-to-work area.

Mr. Woodall

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the total in gross tons of new orders by United Kingdom shipowners in 1978 and up to the latest date available in the current year, and the total new orders given by the United Kingdom shipowners to United Kingdom yards in those periods; and what were the amounts in compensated gross tons.

Mr. Michael Marshall

The information is as follows:

The total floorspace corresponding to these approvals in the West Midlands was 36,001,000 sq. ft. and the estimated additional employment, based on applicants' estimates, was 32,990.

No certificates were refused in the Dudley and Sandwell travel-to-work area. Six were refused in the West Midlands region.

I shall write to the hon. Member to give an analysis of these figures by year.