asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will remove the import duty from the Reece button-hole machine.

As the hon. Member probably knows, an earlier application for the removal of this duty had to be withdrawn because it was found impracticable to devise a satisfactory definition of the machines concerned. If this problem can now be overcome, I will gladly consider a renewed application.

May I ask the Minister whether he is aware that that is the same sort of reply that I received from one of his predecessors about two years ago? Would not he agree that the present duty is unfair, in that a firm ordering up to four of these machines has to pay import duty, while a firm ordering more than four can get them duty-free? Surely that is discriminating against the small firm, and would not the Minister agree that some practical way should be found out of this difficulty?

I hope so. While noting what the hon. Gentleman has said, I repeat that I am prepared to consider applications for duty remission on these machines subject to the criterion laid down in the Act of 1958 and to the published conditions. If they can be satisfied, I shall do what I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many applications his Department has received for grant aid under the Local Employment Acts, 1960 and 1963, since February, 1963, for the development district of Bideford and Torrington; and how many of these applications have been accepted, are pending, or have been refused.

Fourteen applications for grants under the Local Employment Acts have been received from eight firms. Five of these firms have had their applications approved in principle, and one has been refused. The other two cases are under consideration.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, which is encouraging, may I ask him whether he is aware that we have had the greatest help from his Department both here in London and regionally in our efforts to attract industry? Is my right hon. Friend aware that we still have unemployment figures of 5·5 per cent.? May I hope that these two applications will be speedily agreed in the right direction?

I realise the position, and I assure my hon. Friend that the applications will certainly be dealt with speedily.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what action he proposes to take to end the price leadership in the electric cables industry described in paragraph 541 of the Select Committee on the Nationalised Industries Report of May 1963 on the Electrical Supply Industry, in view of the fact that the system of common prices and allocation of orders operated by the manufacturers of low voltage cable was condemned by the Monopolies Commission in 1952.

None, Sir.

Is not that a rather extraordinary Answer? Is it not most important that any action which the Government take to ban practices which are considered restrictive should be effective enough to prevent the frustration of those purposes? So many of these things seem to be carried on in spite of the fact that the Government say that they should not be.

The Government have no power to prevent a firm from following another firm's prices. Indeed, simply to follow another firm's prices is not a restrictive agreement.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the legislation which is he proposing to bring before the House, he will take this aspect into consideration?

I shall certainly consider what the hon. Gentleman said, but if a firm wants to follow the price of some other firm, I do not see how one can say that that is a restrictive agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether, in view of Her Majesty's Government's policy on monopolies and restrictive practices, he will now request the Imperial Tobacco Company to divest itself of its holding in Gallahers.

I have no reason to think that the undertaking given to my predecessor by the Imperial Tobacco Company not to interfere in the management of Gallahers has not been carried out. I am not therefore proposing to raise the matter again with them.

While accepting that there has been no interference, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he would agree that it would be encouragement to the Monopolies Commission if one of its recommendations were carried out in full? Is not there also the other aspect, that of the interests of the shareholders of the Imperial Tobacco Company, who do not necessarily want this large holding in another equity?

On the last point, I think that it is up to the shareholders of the Imperial Tobacco Company if they want to change the policy of the firm. I have made plain the Government's attitude towards monopolies and restrictive practices and the White Paper will expand on this, but as this agreement was made and has been kept, I do not think that it would be right again to raise this question.

If he is to be so extremely ruthless with small retailers, ought not the right hon. Gentleman to avoid the appearance of being tender with these very large combines?

There is no question of being tender, but as agreement has been reached and has been adhered to. I do not think it proper to raise this question now.

asked the Secretary of State for In Industry, Trade and Regional Development what proposals he has for the development of industry in the North-West, arising out of his visit there at the end of last year; and if he will make a statement.

As I told the House on 3rd December, the main result of my visit to the North-West was my decision to set up an interdepartmental group to survey the economic and planning problems of the area. Meanwhile, the benefits of the Local Employment Acts and free depreciation are available for projects in the development districts of the region.

Can the Minister give us a little more detail? Does not he agree that his reply was rather vague? When he is drawing up plans—if he has any—will he bear in mind that we want industry in the North-West not only to counterbalance contracting industry but also to encourage people to migrate to that area?

I agree with the hon. Member about that. The first intention is to prevent emigration, and then to persuade people to go into that area. The study group that I have set up is already at work, and I hope to make a statement later about its scope.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what progress has been made in developing the industrial site in Dalmuir, owned by Ingersoll-Rand Ltd.

Ingersoll-Rand Ltd. has recently confirmed its intention to develop the industrial site at Dalmuir for the production of heavy machinery; the timing of the development is dependent on the rate of growth of its business.

I have been given that answer for three years. The Burgh of Clydebank has several applications for industrial development on the Clyde. I was given a promise that the Board of Trade would repurchase this industrial site from Ingersoll-Rand if the Burgh of Clydebank could find a customer. It has now got one. Will the right hon. Gentleman now arrange for the Board of Trade to repurchase the site?

We have recently confirmed the position as stated in my Answer. If the hon. Member has details of a project on this scale for that site perhaps he will let me have them.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether, in view of the widespread price increases throughout British industry, he will introduce legislation to set up a price office, to which all manufacturers with a turnover of over £2 million per year would be obliged to send their price lists for information and publication, which would ensure that swift remedial action in the form of tariff cuts and action against price rings could be taken when necessary.

No Sir.

Is not that Answer just as unsatisfactory as the previous one given by the President of the Board of Trade? If the Government are determined effectively to make inroads on restrictive practices, is it not necessary to bring the light of day to bear upon the kind of practices which firms adopt when their restrictive agreements are banned? Would it not be a good idea to provide that all price lists should be sent to such a price office, for everybody to see and examine?

The hon. Member's suggestion is obviously not the best way of tackling this problem.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the recent price increases which have taken place in engineering and other industries have been the result of increases in wages—[Interruption.]

Do your homework.

—and that many people will take note of the new form of authoritarian State which is being introduced by the Labour Party?

In fact, the provisional wholesale price indices for December show that the prices of all manufactured products sold on the home market rose by under 2 per cent. during 1963. It is probably too soon for any price increase which can be attributed to the recent engineering pay increase to be reflected in the price information supplied by the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what action he is taking on the Monopolies Commission Report on the Supply of Wallpaper.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what action the Government proposed to take following the recommendation of the Monopolies Commission on the supply of wallpaper.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he accepts the recommendations of the Monopolies Commission in respect to the supply of wallpaper; and what action he proposes to take.

My Department is in touch with Wallpaper Manufacturers Limited to see how far it is prepared to co-operate in giving effect to the recommendations of the Monopolies Commission.

Is the Minister prepared to leave it to this cartel which supplies four out of every five sheets which are supplied in this country? Should not he make sure that action is taken quickly? In his recommendations relating to the abolition of resale price maintenance, is he proposing to refer this question to yet another tribunal before he acts on it?

I have no powers to enforce action at this time. Therefore, the quickest way to secure action is to ask the wallpaper manufacturers to co-operate in carrying out the recommendations of the Monopolies Commission.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he still has powers to make orders to see that firms carry out the recommendations of the Monopolies Commission? Can he at least assure us that he will take action in this case in a rather shorter time than the 10 or 12 months he took in connection with electrical equipment for motor vehicles?

Discussions are already going on with the wallpaper manufacturers.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many applications have been made by firms in the United States and Canada over the past three months for assistance under the terms of the Local Employment Acts of 1960 and 1963, with a view to their establishing industry in Scotland.

Two such firms have applied in the last three months. In addition several firms with North American connections, already established in Scotland, have applied during the same period.

Is the Minister of State aware that it was being said in Scotland that applications were being made from British and overseas firms at the rate of 30 a week and that there was a backlog of more than 500 such applications, British and overseas? Does not he think that it is high time that he checked up on his Department's dissemination of information, which has certainly raised false hopes in Scotland as to what is intended?

If the hon. Member will be good enough to send me that evidence I shall be delighted to study it. I am satisfied from personal experience, in the United States in particular, that a good deal of useful work is being done to attract American firms to Scotland. I have seen this work being done on the spot in the United States and I am delighted to say that it is having some success.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he has studied the case of a finance corporation, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Louth, for which a receiver has just been appointed, which owes its bank £1,087,000, in respect of which a debenture has been in existence since 1954, and which has depositors of £1,475,000 who are likely to get nothing; what action he has taken to stop this firm advertising for deposits and to proect investors; and if he will make a statement.

In accordance with our powers under the Protection of Depositors Act, my Department has already made certain inquiries in the case of a company which, it is now clear from the details which I have received from my hon. Friend, is the company to which he refers. I hope very shortly to be able to say what further action I am in a position to take.

I am obliged to my right hon. Friend for that information, but is it not possible for greater control to be exercised over so-called finance corporations—[interruption.]—and over second-rate lawyers as well? Can greater control be exercised over so-called finance corporations which offer high rates of interest and then subsequently get into the hands of crooks who rob people of their savings? Is it possible to provide better control of this type of so-called finance corporation?

I think that it would be unwise of me to comment further on that supplementary question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that for the time being, and for an indefinite period, this company is to be allowed to go on advertising for deposits, to attract investors? Why is not he taking immediate action? Will not there be some time lag between his announcement today and effective action being taken?

The time lag will be very short indeed. The information that I have so far is that deposits are not being accepted.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what assistance he offers in promoting the sales of British aircraft abroad; and whether he is satisfied that the facilities which he has provided for the export of British aircraft are comparable with those provided by the Governments of other countries competing in the same markets.

Exporters can call on the services of the Export Services Branch and the Commercial Relations and Export Department of the Board of Trade, and of commercial officers and service and supply attachés at embassies and High Commissions overseas. The full support of the credit guarantee facilities of the Export Credits Guarantee Department is available. I am satisfield that all these services compare favourably with those provided by other Governments.

Is the Minister aware that the United States Government have ordered their embassies to go all out to help the American aircraft industry and to promote sales of United States aircraft, thus supplementing the aid given by the Export-Import Bank? Will the Minister take steps to ensure that, unlike the case where the air attaché was dropped in Tokyo, at a time when the Trident order negotiations were reaching a most important point, all the resources of our embassies are employed in order to help the British aircraft industry?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question is certainly "Yes". Perhaps I may call his attention to the remarks that I made in the Third Reading debate on the Export Guarantees Bill, when I said that it was entirely clear that we did not lose the first Trident order in Japan because we were unable to put up satisfactory credit terms. On credit terms we are as good as the Americans or the French, and we are always ready to match anything which anybody else may provide. As to the cost of credit, this is a complex and difficult matter. If the hon. Member will be good enough to turn up the reference which I have mentioned he will see that I am now looking into this matter myself.

Does that answer mean that the hon. Gentleman's Department was consulted by the Foreign Office before it decided to abolish the post of air attaché at Tokio? Is he aware that his Answer, at any rate to a certain extent, defines the whole question of why we lost the Trident order, in comparison with the woolly answer which we received yesterday from the Minister of Aviation?

The point about the air attaché in Tokyo is different from the Question on the Order Paper. I will make inquiries and write to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what further action Her Majesty's Government propose to take following their consideration of the Report of the Monopolies Commission on the Supply of Electrical Equipment for Mechanically Propelled Land Vehicles.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given to the right hon. Member on 16th January.

As the right hon. Gentleman has said that he is still considering the most important point, can he at least tell us when the consideration will end and we shall have some action on this one?

Very shortly.

In view of the fact that the Monopolies Commission condemned individual R.P.M. in this industry, does the Minister propose to abolish that forthwith or refer it to another tribunal?

I have not the power to abolish it forthwith.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, what steps he is taking to promote industrial development in the area of Kilsyth, Croy and Tweclar, in view of the decline in coal mining.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what action he proposes to take to bring industry to the Kilsyth and Lennoxtown parts of West Stirlingshire.

These areas lie in the Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch development districts. All the benefits of the Local Employment Acts, and free depreciation, are available to new developments there.

I had a reply very similar to that 12 years ago, in 1952—and nothing has happened. Is the Minister aware that the miners are going and the villages are becoming depopulated? Let us have some action before this Government go out of office.

The hon. Gentleman's memory must be at fault. These benefits were not in existence 10 years ago.

I said a similar Answer.

It could not have been a similar answer, because this became a development district in July, 1962, and, at any rate since then has had the advantage of these inducements. We do everything possible to persuade industry to go there.

Is the Minister aware that his Answer will give not satisfaction to the people concerned? Is he aware that even over the last five years in the western part of my constituency 13 businesses have gone out of operation and no industry has come to the area? Will the Minister take up this matter seriously and see whether he can encourage some industry to come to these smaller towns of West Stirlingshire? Is he aware that these are becoming dormitory areas and depopulated areas, which is lliading to discontent and despair?

I will see whether further applicants can be encouraged to go to the area.

Does the Minister realise that this was a development area 10 years ago, that it was descheduled by the Government and then rescheduled?

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he will publish details of the general directions given by his Department to the Board of Trade Advisory Committee since 1960 pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Local Employment Act, 1960.

The only directions which have been given are dated 28th April, 1960. They were published in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 26th February, 1963 in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Craigton (Mr. Millan). They are also to be found at page 183 of the Seventh Report from the Estimates Committee for the Session 1962–63.

In view of that Answer, does not the right hon. Gentleman feel that the Board of Trade advisory committees could better discharge their statutory obligations if the Board of Trade gave general directions as to the criteria on which to base their decisions in granting loans for industry to cure unemployment? Does not this account for the extraordinary decisions which some committees have made in turning down applications in respect of schemes to cure unemployment?

I do not think so. The Act gives power to give general directions about terms and conditions of any loan or grant—with the assent of the Treasury—and this is what we have done, as the hon. Gentleman will see if he consults the references which I have given. I would not accept that some of the decisions of B.O.T.A.C. have been extraordinary. I have always inquired into particular cases which have come to my notice, and I do not accept his condemnation of B.O.T.A.C.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, what steps he is taking to increase trade with Saudi Arabia.

Since the resumption of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia a year ago there has been a commercial officer at the Embassy in Jedda. After a preliminary visit by an officer from the Board of Trade in November, the Council for Middle East Trade sent a mission to Saudi Arabia in December. Its report was published a week ago, and should prove a valuable document for manufacturers considering entering this very promising market. I am inviting the Saudi Minister of Commerce to visit Britain with some senior officials in a few months' time.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Would he not agree that there are special advantages to be drawn from trading with a country which has no internal or external debt and a fully convertible currency? Will he do all he can to publicise the report to which he referred which gives details of the many opportunities open to British manufacturers when trading with Saudi Arabia?

The answer to both questions is, most certainly, "Yes". It is gratifying to note that United Kingdom exports to Saudi Arabia have increased by approximately 50 per cent. over the last three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will make a statement on the discussions he has had regarding long-term employment prospects in the Rotherham area.

I am aware that the coal and steel industries provide a substantial proportion of the jobs available in this area; but unemployment is low, and I must give first priority to the needs of the development districts for new industry. I will continue to give sympathetic consideration to applications for industrial development certificates for suitable new projects in the area.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government are prepared to encourage firms to apply for industrial development certificates? Would he not agree that the present unemployment figures in the Rotherham area are an inadequate criteria on which to base an assessment of the long-term problem? As a matter of urgency, would he designate a regional planning area for Yorkshire so that statistical criteria may be collated, on which a policy to deal with long-term problems could be drawn up.

I am giving consideration to the last point. It is necessary to look ahead to see what items are likely to influence the unemployment figure which, as the hon. Member will know, is at present 1·9 per cent. If the hon. Gentleman means will I offer inducements to encourage firms to apply for I.D.C.s, the answer is "No". That must remain for development districts. If firms wish to have I.D.C.s for expansion, I will sympathetically consider that.

Is the Minister aware that there are many women and girls in the Rotherham area who are not registered for employment because there is no work for women in that area, and will he look at that matter?

I will look at that. But the blunt fact is that the unemployment rate there is 1·9 per cent. and there are many development districts with a higher rate of unemployment to which we must induce industry to go.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what discussions he had with the Scottish whisky trade before his announcement of his intention to introduce a Bill on resale price maintenance.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what are the names of the organisations representing the retail traders organisations and their representatives which he interviewed prior to making the Government's announcement on the abolition of Resale Price Maintenance; and how many meetings were held before this announcement was made.

Evidence was received from over 70 organisations during the Board of Trade inquiry, including many associations representing retailers and two representing the wines and spirits trade. Evidence from individual manufacturers was also collected. Since the inquiry was confidential, I cannot give further details.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the intolerable strain which has resulted in Scotland because of a "leak" that the price of whisky was to be reduced by 6s. a bottle? Will he inquire who caused this leak? Is he aware that, on the other side, the licensed grocers are protesting to their Members of Parliament that the distillers are calling the Prime Minister a traitor to his class, and others want the money back from the Tory Party funds? Will the right hon. Gentleman clear up this matter?

I am afraid the hon. Member did not make plain what was the cause of the strain in his area at the moment. Was it in holding back until prices are reduced, or a misunderstanding about the nature of the leak?

In view of the fact that many opponents of R.P.M. are not aware of the arguments in favour of it being abolished, will the right hon. Gentleman consider releasing some details of the investigations he has made in his Department without revealing confidential facts which he does not want to be released?

As the evidence was given to the Department on the basis that it would not be published, and was confidential so that the firms and associations felt themselves in those circumstances free to give evidence, I do not think it would be proper to try to extract parts of the information.

Would it be possible to publish the Departmental conclusions without the evidence?

I think the hon. Member has heard the statement of Government policy, and that is what the Government must give to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether, in preparing his promised legislation covering resale price maintenance, he will have regard to the safeguarding of prices when these are maintained in order to include service to the goods, replacement of defective parts and loss caused by defect which the Consumer Council suggests should be made an obligation on manufacturers.

I shall have these considerations in mind in framing my proposals, but the resale price maintenance Bill would not be the appropriate instrument for any amendment of the law relating to guarantees.

Since my right hon. Friend decided upon his legislation for the abolition of resale price maintenance very much upon the basis of what the Consumer Council said, may I ask him to bear in mind what the Council said a fortnight later, namely, that servicing, and replacement of parts by manufacturers is a very important factor? Is he not aware that supermarkets and mini-markets and all the things we now have do not always provide this type of service and that it is desirable that we should retain a few of the shops which do provide such service?

Yes, I will certainly bear in mind the point my hon. Friend has made about the recommendation of the Consumer Council. As to the last point, this means that a choice is necessary for the consumer and he must make his own decision.

Did not the report of the Consumer Council show that customers are at a considerable disadvantage vis-à-vis manufacturers and retailers in the matter of defects in goods and retailers escaping their liabilities? Since the Secretary of State responded to prodding in respect of hire-purchase legislation and resole price maintenance legislation, can we be encouraged to think that, if we go on prodding him on this matter, we shall get legislation in response to this Consumer Council recommendation?

I have not given any verdict or decision about this point. All I have said is that it is not suitable for inclusion in the particular resale prices Bill. As the hon. Gentleman knows, we are working on a programme of consumer protection legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will take steps to make it obligatory for all products in which leather and imitations of leather are used, to be clearly identified on the article in question or on a label attached to such article, so that the public may judge between real and artificial leather products.

I am considering the Molony Committee's recommendation that the Board of Trade should have powers to require informative labelling for designated goods. In the absence of such powers I cannot make the marking of individual classes of goods obligatory.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that Answer, may I ask if he would agree that, if it were possible to have identification of this sort, it would give a much needed stimulus to the leather industry and also protect the consumer from shoddy substitutes?

I should not like to make any judgment at the moment about specific items. We have been following the recommendations of the Molony Committee in the order the Committee suggested. We are now dealing with hire-purchase aspects. The next subject will be merchandise marks and after that there will come this question.

Would not the measures proposed by the Molony Committee in this regard require very little legislation? Would it not be a good thing to take them out of turn and to deal with this growing problem in view of the substitutes coming on to the market for original things which people think they are buying?

Our preliminary conclusion was that the legislation would be quite complicated, but I am quite prepared to have another look at that.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he is aware of the international cartel in nitrogen known as Nitrex S.A. of Zurich; and what information he has as to how many manufacturers of nitrogen in the United Kingdom are members of this cartel.

So far as I am aware no United Kingdom manufacturers of nitrogen are members of this group.

Is not the Minister aware that it is virtually impossible for merchants in this country to buy nitrogen on the Continent below the wholesale prices of manufacturers in this country? Is he aware that a Hampshire merchant has been in touch with the Department pointing out that he wished to buy from Italy but the Italian firm was prevented from selling it through pressure brought by Nitrex S.A.? Is there not evidence that firms are working in this country, as it were, by means of a gentlemen's agreement with Nitrex S.A.?

I am not clear that the facts are as the hon. and learned Member has stated, but in view of his remarks I shall certainly pay close attention to the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he is aware that a firm, the name of which has been sent to him, has entered into an agreement with Norwegian nitrogen manufacturers so that Norwegian nitrogen which now benefits from the European Free Trade Area tariff reductions will not compete with its products in British markets; and whether he will raise the matter with the European Free Trade Area Council in view of the fact that the agreement contravenes article 15 of the European Free Trade Area Convention.

I am not aware that such an agreement exists. If the hon. Member has any evidence of it I shall be glad to consider it.

Is not the Minister aware that the price of Norwegian nitrogen on the world market is £13 per ton c.i.f. European ports? It is impossible to buy that nitrogen in this country because they simply will not sell to this country. Is there not evidence which ought to be investigated that there is an agreement between nitrogen manufacturers in this country and Norwegian firms which are members of Nitrex S.A. to prevent the import of nitrogen to this country?

The hon. and learned Member may like to know that E.F.T.A. members are about to start a review of the Convention and to consider whether amendments to it are needed.

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that in view of the fact that the high price of fertiliser is an important item of farm costs, and it is important to reduce farm costs, this matter needs investigating immediately? Will he give an undertaking that in the anti-monopoly Bill to be introduced in this House there will be adequate clauses dealing with international cartels?

The hon. and learned Member, with his great experience of the law, will know how very difficult, if not impossible, it is for United Kingdom legislation to control the activities of firms in other countries.

If a United Kingdom manufacturer has entered this agreement, would it not be a registrable agreement under the 1956 Act? Therefore, could not the Minister look into it?

I have already said in answer to the first Question on this subject that I am not aware that such an agreement exists.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development (1) in view of the recent evidence submitted to him regarding the increasing difficulties of the urban district council of Shildon in attracting industry to the area as a result of their omission from the growth zone, if he will now include Shildon in that zone;

I have considered the evidence carefully but I am satisfied that, for reasons which I have already explained to the councils concerned, it would not be right to alter the boundaries of the growth zone.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give one good economic or industrial reason why these two towns should be excluded from the growth zone? How does he justify the many square miles of virgin countryside south of Bishop Auckland and Shildon which are included in the area of growth? Does he really expect anything to grow there other than grass and corn?

I do not think I am giving away any secrets. It is known that the hon. Member was present at the discussions I had with these councils, when I had an opportunity of explaining the reasons. He therefore has heard more than one good reason why we are adhering to the boundaries.

On a point of order. Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what estimate he has made of the present value at 6 per cent. of the benefits under the Local Employment Acts of £10 million spent on plant and machinery in oil refineries in development districts, where full advantage is taken of the free depreciation provisions; and, on the basis of 200 jobs having been created, what is the cost to the Exchequer per job created.

This is a hypothetical question which assumes, among other things, that the full standard plant and machinery grants would be payable in respect of an unspecified number of capital-intensive projects. I am not able, therefore, to give the hon. Member the information he is seeking.

Is the Minister aware that even if the standard grants were not paid the value of the free depreciation would mean the cost per job provided was about £5,000, which is about 50 times the cost averaged over the past three years? Is he further aware that I.C.I. has announced an expenditure of £30 million on capital-intensive projects in development districts which would have gone through anyway? This means more money will be paid to I.C.I. and Shell in free depreciation than has been paid in grants to the whole of England in the past three years.

The conclusion of the hon. Member seems to be that the inducements of the 1960 Act and the free depreciation of the Chancellor's Budget should not have been available for capital-intensive projects. If that is his conclusion I do not think his constituents or Tees-side will be pleased.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that people in my constituency welcome this project and that I should like, through my right hon. Friend, to thank the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, West (Dr. Bray) for raising this question as it affects entirely my constituency?

Is the Minister aware that this free depreciation provision is regarded as a grossly inefficient incentive by the industries themselves? Is he aware that they would very much rather have the money spent on training and the renewal of social capital on which their own prosperity depends?

I have not had any firm complain to me about arrangements for free depreciation. What I have found is that it is not yet fully understood by firms, and unfortunately it has not yet proved to be the inducement which it ought to be. I hope that with the additional publicity we shall give by means of a pamphlet which is about to come out, it will become more widely known and will lead more firms to development areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what further industries employing large numbers of people he expects the Shell refinery to attract to Tees-side that have not been attracted there by the petrochemical and plastics complex at Wilton.

Shell's decision to build a refinery on Tees-side is welcome evidence of their confidence in the region's future. I am sure that it will encourage other companies to follow their example, but beyond this I am not prepared to speculate.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the products of this refinery have already been available in the area from I.C.I. plants? While this has encouraged some development, there is no reason to believe that development will be more rapid with Shell there also. Is he aware that this is an extremely costly development under the free depreciation provisions and he ought to review the machinery of the Local Employment Act?

I do not understand. Why is the hon. Gentleman crabbing this tremendous enterprise? Surely it shows that one of the greatest firms in this country has confidence in Tees-side and the North-East, and it ought to be encouraged and not criticised.

Will my right hon. Friend note that, unlike the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, West (Dr. Bray), most people on Tees-side welcome this project with enthusiasm? Does not my right hon. Friend agree that an attempt to measure the long-term effect of a project of this kind in terms of jobs immediately created on the site is totally to misconceive the whole nature of the problem?

I agree very fully with my hon. Friend. It will provide 1,000 jobs for the construction of the refinery first, before going on to the regular staff.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the confidence of both Shell and I.C.I. in the future of Tees-side is so great that they had plans to put these projects there in any case before these provisions were put in?

I have no information to that effect. The main thing is that they should go there and not be criticised for doing it.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he is aware that his announcement that resale price maintenance is to be abolished has created uncertainty among manufacturers and traders as to whether Section 25 of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act is still enforceable and what early action he is taking to remove these uncertainties.

Section 25 of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956, remains the law until it is amended or repealed. This Answer should remove any uncertainty on that point.

Is the Secretary of State aware that, although it still remains the law in many places, it has long ceased to be so regarded, or to be observed? There is mounting confusion among manufacturers, shopkeepers and the public as to whether resale price maintenance is still operative. Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us—first, when the Bill will be introduced, and, secondly, when he expects it to become law?

It does sometimes happen that laws are not strictly kept, but that does not alter the fact that the law is in existence and can be enforced. I should have thought this was perfectly well known. We shall adhere to the timetable for the Bill which has already been announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Leader of the House. Obviously I cannot give an indication as to when the House will conclude its deliberations on it.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development when he will publish the delimitation and designation of the five regional development plans for Wales, and in particular the proposals for the South Wales area.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs that the areas which the Welsh Office will be examining in collaboration with other Departments are broadly South Wales, West Wales, Mid Wales, North-East Wales and North-West Wales. The South Wales area will include the industrial belt from East of Newport to West of Lianelly.

May I thank the right hon. Gentleman for answering this Question, first tabled on 17th December? In view of the plans already in existence, has not the Secretary of State sufficient information to formulate his plans now, rather than waiting until 1965? Does he think that this announcement will allay the anxieties of workers and management in industry? Is not this a most dubious agreement procedure, asking the Welsh people to sign a blank contract form, with the details to be filled in by the Government later? Is it not really designed to provide a method of escape for the Government and a platform point for the General Election?

I think that the approach we have decided upon is the best one, to do a comprehensive study of South Wales and Mid-Wales as the first two. The hon. Gentleman asked for the general boundaries of the studies. They are as I have described them to him.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what actior he proposes to take to bring industry to the Bannockburn, Plean, Cowie and Fallin areas of West Stirlingshire.

In steering new industry I must give priority to development districts. But in this area I shall give sympathetic consideration to applications for industrial development certificates for projects which could not reasonably be undertaken in a development district.

I thank the Minister for the Answer. May I point out that these areas are not under the ambit of the Local Employment Act notwithstanding the fact that there is no industry whatever in the four villages mentioned in my Question? Is he aware that they have been rebuilt at considerable cost by the county council to meet the requirement of the coal mining industry but that, unfortunately for them and for the Stirling County Council, the coal mining industry has ceased to exist? Would the Minister seriously consider putting these areas under the ambit of the Local Employment Act so that they may get an advantage, if there is an advantage, in the future?

Again, the unemployment rate is lower than the rates in development districts. It is 3·1 per cent. I have said that I will consider sympathetically the provision of I.D.C.s for firms which want to go into the area. But I cannot give an undertaking to include it in a development district.

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider his Answer, in view of the fact that Scotland should be treated as a whole and an I.D.C. issued to any firm which wishes to go to any part of the country?

I know of my hon. Friend's interest in this matter, but I would not go quite so far as him in saying that even in the congested areas of Scotland there should be I.D.C.s. We are pursuing a flexible policy in this regard.