Oral Answers to Questions — Board of Trade – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 17 Rhagfyr 1964.
Mr Henry Brewis
, Galloway
12:00,
17 Rhagfyr 1964
asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for assistance under the Local Employment Acts by firms wishing to set up business or expand in Scotland were pending at 15th October, 1964; and what is the average time taken to reach a decision.
Mr Douglas Jay
, Battersea North
Figures are not readily available for 15th October. At 31st October the Board of Trade had under consideration 1,207 applications for building and plant and machinery grants for projects in Scotland, of which 758 had already been given preliminary approval in principle, in addition to 108 applications for general purpose loans and grants. The time taken to reach a final decision varies from three weeks to a year or more depending on the extent of the investigation required and the promptness with which applicants supply the necessary information. We are taking all steps within our power to reduce the delay.
Mr Henry Brewis
, Galloway
These figures are satisfactory, but has the right hon. Gentleman any proposals for quickening up the procedure, which often takes a very long time?
Mr Douglas Jay
, Battersea North
We have asked all those concerned to speed it up to the greatest possible extent within their power. But a good many of these delays are due to the failure of applicants to supply the proper information more quickly. I hope that everybody will co-operate in speeding up the whole exercise.
Mr Edward Heath
, Bexley
rose—
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
Mr. Hector Hughes. [Interruption.]
Mr Edward Heath
, Bexley
I rose to put a supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. There has been only one supplementary question on this Question.
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
I am sorry. I saw the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) first and called him. I will come back to the right hon. Gentleman in a moment.
Mr Hector Hughes
, Aberdeen North
Can my right hon. Friend say how many of these applications were in respect of setting up industries in north-east Scotland, what was the nature of the industries and how many of them were granted?
Mr Douglas Jay
, Battersea North
Not without notice, but certainly a number were for north-east Scotland.
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Easington
On a point of order. Can you, Mr. Speaker, say whether Privy Councillors have any special privileges in this House?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
Not, I think, at Question Time.
Mr Edward Heath
, Bexley
May I explain that I rose to my feet just now because I thought that you, Mr. Speaker, were about to call the next Question.
Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many jobs will be involved in the number of applications about which he has spoken?
Mr Douglas Jay
, Battersea North
Not without notice. However, owing to the expectations aroused by this Government, there has been a great increase lately in applications for these facilities.
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