§ Mr. Les Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from local authorities, public bodies and other organisations representing industry, commerce and the trade unions about the effect on property values and industrial development in those localities immediately adjacent to enterprise zones through financial and other concessions within them.
§ Mr. KingWe are aware of a wide range of views which have been expressed about the effect of enterprise zones on surrounding areas but an exact figure for the number of representations cannot be given. The consultants whom we have commissioned to monitor the effects of enterprise zones will be reporting in the autumn on this and other matters.
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§ Mr. Les Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the numbers of net new jobs created by the development of enterprise zones so far; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KingWe have commissioned consultants to monitor the effects of enterprise zones. We are being kept informed of interim findings and they will be reporting more fully in the autumn. That report will include information about the numbers of jobs created in the zones.
§ Mr. Les Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the criteria to be used by his Department and others to assess applications made for the creation of new enterprise zones.
§ Mr. KingThe criteria which will principally determine the selection of further enterprise zones in England are set out in the guidance notes for applications. A copy of these notes has been placed in the Library of the House.