asked the Secretary of State for Industry what changes have been made in industrial development certificate and office development permit policies to the benefit of London and to the detriment of the regions.

Industrial development certificate policy continues to be operated with full regard to the potential mobility of the development proposed and to the labour resources of the locality concerned. IDC exemption limits were increased in May 1976 to remove from the scope of the control many small developments which were unlikely to be refused IDC's. Office development permit policies are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.