18.
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the industrial development certificates issued to firms between 1st January, 1968, and 30th June, 1970, wishing to expand or commence business in Gloucester relate to warehousing extentions, and how many relate to manufacturing extensions.
Industrial development certificates for 554,000 square feet were issued in the Gloucester employment exchange area from 1st January, 1968, to 30th June, 1970; of this, 148,000 square feet was for storage and other non-production space. But many warehouses do not require industrial development certificates.
In determining the number of industrial development certificates that my hon. Friend is likely to issue for Gloucester in future, will he bear in mind that a fairly high proportion of those issued over the last two years were for warehousing extensions, which are not very job productive? Will he please be as generous as possible in future in the issue of these certificates for Gloucester, taking into consideration the comparatively high rate of unemployment there?
I will bear in mind the points my hon. Friend has made.