asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development (1) what reply he has given to representations from the secretary of the Huddersfield Chamber of Commerce with regard to the approval by the Registrar of Companies of the use of the name Huddersfield in the title of a company whose registered office is not in Huddersfield and which has no existing connection with Huddersfield;

Every proposal for a company name is examined to see that the name is not too like that of a company already registered. Except in a limited number of special cases, inquiries are not made into the justification for using the name of a particular town or locality.

Is the Minister aware that the Registrar of Companies authorised the use of the name "Fine Fabrics (Huddersfield) Limited" by a company in no way associated with Huddersfield, and is this not liable to be misleading? If there was an oversight on the part of the office of the Registrar, what remedy is available to firms in Huddersfield to object? On the general principle, is the hon. Gentleman aware that the town of Huddersfield is renowned throughout the world for the production of fine worsted fabrics? Surely the use of the words "fine fabrics" together with the word "Huddersfield" may be a bit misleading, particularly if the firm in question operates in Manchester and has no association at all with Huddersfield.

Bring it to Glasgow.

I can assure the hon Gentleman that the reputation of Hud dersfield is very well understood in the Board of Trade and, indeed, in the country as a whole. As far as this particular case is concerned, I am advised that even if inquiries had been made—and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has apologised in respect of this—no difference would have ensued because it is the intention of the company to operate in Huddersfield. As far as the hon. Gentleman's third supplementary question is concerned, the point is that there is an opportunity for these matters to be looked into within a limited period.

What check has the Minister of State made to justify the assertion that the company is going to operate in Huddersfield? Is the hon. Gentleman further aware that when this question was first raised he admitted that a mistake had been made by the Registrar? What steps has he taken to prevent similar mistakes in the future?

In answer to the hon. Gentleman's first supplementary question, there has been an expression of intention on the part of the company. In regard to the second, the Registrar receives something like 2,000 inquiries each week. There is an obvious difficulty in checking half a million names on the register, but I should be surprised if there is a recurrence of this sort.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he will seek the necessary powers to prevent the imports into the United Kingdom of liquid milk for sale by retail which has been produced from herds or on premises not subject to inspection on health or sanitary grounds by the Minister of Agriculture.

No, Sir. Any restrictions on imports of milk on health grounds would be a matter for my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Minister of Health. I understand that there are in fact no commercial imports of liquid milk at the present time.

Would my hon. Friend agree that liquid milk now sold in this country is of the very highest quality and produced from herds on premises carefully checked by the Ministry concerned and that any control of imported milk which might be of a less high quality, perhaps having a high bacteriological content, would ultimately be a question for his Department? In view of the delay which has sometimes occurred through his Department having to check undesirable imports of food in the past, will he look at this matter again?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the points which he has made will certainly receive attention. I realise that he has a special and particular knowledge of the subject. I would not feel myself obliged to accept everything that he has said this afternoon, but we will certainly look at the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what steps he will take to restrict the importation of American computers into the United Kingdom.

None, Sir.

is not my hon. Friend aware of the very difficult situation at present existing in the British computer industry and of the continuing brain drain of computer engineers, and that unless something is done very soon to arrest this trend then the industry will become little more than a marketing agency for American machines? Will he therefore reconsider the matter?

I am afraid that I cannot accept everything that my hon. Friend says. The output of electronic computers by United Kingdom manufacturers increased from £7½ million in 1959 to £24 million in 1963. I think it is right to say that the industry is in a healthy state and is doing a first-class job.

Is the Minister aware that an American firm has established a computer industry in Lanarkshire where it will be building virtually from the ground up, and will he do everything to encourage this?

We wish the firm every success.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the discrimination in respect of shipping which the United States exercises to the detriment of this country? Will he consider imposing a restriction on the import of American computers until the United States abandons this discrimination?

The question about shipping is not one for me but for the Minister of Transport. We are doing everything we can to get such restrictions as exist removed.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many new jobs for males are in prospect in the North-East and in Sunderland, respectively.

There are over 18,000 jobs in prospect for males in the North-East from new building and other projects known to the Board of Trade. Of these 2,100 are in the Sunderland, Pallion and Southwick Employment exchange areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he will make a progress report on development and industry on the North-East coast.

I shall be making two visits to the North-East in the next few weeks. This will give me an opportunity to assess the progress made on the programme for the growth and development of the region and I shall report my conclusions to the House.

While being absolutely delighted to hear that my hon. Friend is coming to the North-East—which is quite unexpected so far as I am concerned—may I ask if he is aware what a great welcome he will get there from all sections of the community, in view of the fact that we all have our tails right up? Is he aware that the latest Report of the North-East Development Council, which no one can call a Tory-inspired council, contains most glowing reports of the progress that has been made? I hope that my right hon. Friend will take the opportunity to emphasise in no uncertain terms what has been done by this Government.

Yes. I am glad that our esteem for each other has expressed itself in this form.

When the right hon. Gentleman pays his visit to Peterlee—of which I have been informed and where he will be very welcome—and also to Durham, will he make inquiries about the industrial potential of the new town of Peterlee and about the persistent unemployment of miners in Durham County as a result of pit closures?

I shall certainly under-take to examine that particularly.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Answers to this Question and the previous one show that Government policies are beginning to work after the set-back in the shipbuilding industry in the last 12 months?

The last 12 years.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the task which has to be carried out is one of partnership of management, unions and Government so as to restore the fibre and determination of the North-East to overcome its own problems and not for ever to blame other people?

As I have already made plain to the House when discussing these matters, we can achieve results only as a joint partnership.

Is the Secretary of State aware that, despite his efforts and the efforts of his predecessors, despite the Local Employment Act, the pipeline and jobs in prospect, unemployment in the northern region is almost 75 per cent. more than it was in 1951? That is about 20,000 extra unemployed. What sort of progress is that?

What the hon. Member leaves out of account is the number of unemployed which has arisen from decline of industries through structural changes and the amount of fresh industry being brought into the area to remedy it.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what estimate he has made of the future reduction in jobs in existing industries in the North-East due to increasing capital intensity and automation.

The expected effect of technological change particularly in chemicals, coal mining and steel was taken into account, with other factors, in estimating the future level of employment in the region. But no separate figure for less of jobs due to increasing capital intensity and automation was calculated

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what steps he is taking to provide office employment in the North-East.

Grants and loans under the Local Employment Acts are available to encourage office employment in the development districts in the North-East.

Is the Secretary of State aware that 25,000 new office jobs are needed in the North-East if the average percentage of clerical and administrative workers in the North-East is to be brought up to the level in England and Wales or, far that matter, in Scotland? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether further particular measures are needed on office employment in the North-East to ease the situation?

I am anxious to encourage office employment in the North-East and particularly on Teesside. I hope that individual firms will move part of their office establishments to the North-East wherever possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that vigorous action is needed if he is to make up for the loss of the Post Office Savings Bank and that something more positive than his present statements will be required?

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what steps he is taking to secure that Article 9 of the United Kingdom-Australia Trade Agreement is being implemented in the interests of the United Kingdom textile industry; and whether he will seek an assurance from the Australian Government that United Kingdom textile manufacturers will receive full opportunity of reasonable competition.

The Australian Government are well aware of the views of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom about the application of Article 9 of the Anglo-Australian Trade Agreement. So far as textiles are concerned, a meeting has been arranged to enable representatives of the British textile industry to discuss the matter with the Board of Trade.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in four years there have been 55 representations made to the Australian Tariff Board or the Special Advisory Authority on Textile Matters, with the result that protection against low-cost Japanese production has denied British textile orders the reasonable opportunity for competition? Will he at the forthcoming conference attempt to get the rules of the G.A.T.T. revised to prevent their frustrating trade agreements in this way?

We shall certainly bear in mind everything my right hon. Friend has so wisely said.

Is my hon. Friend aware that whereas two or three years ago the Australians were buying textiles from Macclesfield and Bollington those places are not now getting any orders from them? The Australians want to sell, but they could buy more from this country.

I have no doubt that this matter will be thoroughly examined at the meeting to which I have referred

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, in view of the continuing housing and financial problems of the Crafts Centre, if he has completed the reconsideration he was giving to the renewal of a Government grant.

The grant to the Crafts Centre from the Board of Trade's Vote for the promotion of industrial efficiency and like purposes was terminated last year. I see no grounds for renewing it, but am following with interest new plans to foster the crafts which have recently been put forward.

Is my hon. Friend aware how much anybody interested in the Crafts Centre deprecates the meanness of Her Majesty's Government in this matter? I wanted to ask my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State—but he, of course, dodged answering my Question—whether he still adheres to the view which he at one time held that his Department was being rather mean over this, or whether he has got over that feeling? We thought we had a change at the Board of Trade on this very important matter.

As my hon. Friend will know, the grants to the Crafts Centre were on the basis that they would increase the contribution to industrial design. They were terminated because they were not having that effect, but my right hon. Friend and I regard the present developments as both interesting and hopeful.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will take steps to ensure that all goods manufactured in Scotland are so inscribed; and if he will make a statement.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has no powers to make such a requirement.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many interests are trying to sell Scotland at present in view of the fact that there are nearly 90,000 unemployed there? Is he aware that we are proud of the Scots, of their skill, imagination, enterprise and initiative? Is it not fair that our commodities should be described accordingly? Is he aware that last week I had two commodities in my hands. One made in London was marked "Made in England", and one made in Lanarkshire was marked "Made in Britain". Does he realise that goods manufactured in Scotland should be marked as such and that it is time that Scotland had her rightful place by the stamping of goods "Made in Scotland"?

We all share and admire the pride in Scotland and what Scotland can and does produce, but it is open to manufacturers voluntarily to mark goods as they wish.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will now bring forward proposals to deal with monopolistic practices in the film industry and cinema trade.

As the House is aware, the Cinematograph Films Council has recommended that, provided it should be practicable, the introduction of a larger measure of competition into film exhibition would be advantageous. I hope shortly to make a statement on this matter.

Does the Secretary of State recall that he received this report in early February? Has he not received from the film unions a rather urgent request, in the form of a telegram I believe, to consider the state of the film industry? Would he not, therefore, agree that it is about time, since there has been a long lapse, that Parliament discussed the state of the industry in view of the continued tendency towards monopoly?

The Cinematograph Films Council itself took 20 months to consider the matter and produce a report. It emphasised how complicated and technical this is. I do not think it unfair that we should have proper time to consider the report and to reach conclusions on it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that Parliament should discuss it?

That is entirely a matter for the Leader of the House and the usual channels.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what success has been achieved in securing a tenant for the Board of Trade advance Factory in Blyth.

We are in touch with a prospective tenant.

Is the Minister of State aware that while the recent improvement in the unemployment figures in my constituency aid the North-East give rise to satisfaction, there is, nevertheless, no real need for complacency in this matter? Will he do all he can to prevent his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister from talking about full employment until that has become a reality in the North-East?

I should like to say how grateful we are for the hon. Gentleman's first comment. What he said represents the truth, and we share his pride. On the other hand, we certainly have no complacency but wish to make further, better and faster progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what action he proposes to take in regard to the Report on Travel Agents recently issued by the Consumer Council.

My right hon. Friend will continue to keep under review the question whether it would be desirable and practicable to introduce some form of regulation of travel agents' activities.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the control of entry into the travel trade is not very satisfactory and that it is vital for the consumer that holidays should not be spoiled because of bad management on the part of travel agents? Since we have had a good and comprehensive Report from the Consumer Council on this subject and since this is indeed something in the realm of consumer protection, should not the Board of Trade be looking into this matter at the earliest possible moment?

This is certainly an important subject. About a year ago a sub-committee of the British Travel and Holidays Association considered the problems of travel agencies, but it concluded that statutory control was unnecessary. None the less, we shall keep in touch with the B.T.H.A. on the matter. I understand that the Consumer Council made a general recommendation but not a substantial and deeply considered report.

Does not the Minister of State realise that this is now becoming a tremendously big business which is attracting some people who do not give the service which they advertise? Although the Consumer Council may have made only a general recommendation, does not the hon. Gentleman agree that the Council thought the subject sufficiently important to discuss and that the Board of Trade should at least be more concerned with this problem than it apparently is?

It would be quite wrong to suggest that the Board of Trade either has no concern or is being careless in this matter. Quite the reverse. We are paying close attention to the subject, in co-operation with the British Travel and Holidays Association. As the hon. Lady knows, the B.T.H.A. has certain powers and a very wide membership. It has reported that there is no case for statutory control in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development to what extent regional development through planning is an element in the economic policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Our economic policies give full weight to the contribution which balanced regional development can make to national growth.

Would the Secretary of State estimate when we will have regional plans for the country as a whole? Would he also explain what link there is between the national plan and the regional plans?

I have from time to time given the House approximate dates, where possible, for the completion of the studies which are now in hand. Some of them are at the stage when it is not yet possible to estimate accurately what the date will be. It will then be seen how the individual regional arrangements fit into the national programmes, which are announced from time to time, on particular items.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he shares the views of his right hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Powell) on this issue?

Those views are well known and are often debated in the House. They sometimes differ from those of the Government in some respects towards regional development.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development how many new jobs were provided in Scotland during 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963, respectively.

I regret that the information requested by the hon. Member is not available.

Why is not this information available? Would it not be a much better indication of what is happening in Scotland if these figures were available than to be given all the figures which the Government continuously give about jobs in the pipeline which will materialise, perhaps, some time in the future? Would not such figures help us to compare the number of jobs with those which we are told will be provided when a particular establishment is authorised?

The information for which the hon. Gentleman asks is not available for the simple reason that jobs arise in Scotland, as elsewhere, through non-industrial employment as well, in firms and factories for which I.D.C.s are not required. The full information is not, therefore, available, and to obtain it would require a form of administration which I do not believe would be justified. In reply to the last part of his supplementary question, I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman would welcome the possibility of jobs going to Scotland. If he would be more welcoming he might get more jobs.

While one can understand the right hon. Gentleman's difficulty in answering the Question as it appears on the Order Paper, may I ask whether he can say how many new jobs have arisen during this period in respect of his activities under the Local Employment Act?

If the hon. Member will put down a question I will certainly answer it.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what estimates he has made of the number of new jobs required in Scotland each year to prevent the continuing high level of emigration and to reduce the level of unemployment to two per cent.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 39 to 41 of the White Paper on Central Scotland.

I cannot remember offhand what is stated in paragraphs 39 to 41. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Scottish Council has now definitely stated that Scotland requires 40,000 new jobs a year for several years to come? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that so far the Government have not got anywhere near that figure and that they require to do much more than they are doing if that figure is to be achieved?

If the hon. Gentleman consults those paragraphs of the White Paper he will see the Government's view on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what protests he has received from local authorities and other bodies in Scotland concerning the proposed development plan for South-East England so far as these affect his department.

I have had no representations from local authorities, but I had useful discussions about the South-East Study and White Paper with the Scottish Board for Industry and the Scottish Trades Union Congress when I visited Scotland on 17th April. The Scottish Council's Economic Development Committee has also made its views known to my Department.

The right hon. Gentleman must pt up to date. Is he aware that I received a letter from the Lochgelly Town Council this morning—and it indicated that a copy had been sent to the right hon. Gentleman—complaining about the South-East Study and its effects on Scotland? Is he aware that confirmation of these fears is contained in a speech made by the Minister of Housing and Local Government recently, when he said that 270,000 workers from Scotland and the North-East would emigrate to the South-East between now and 1981? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think, in view of that, that the fears of Scotland are justified; that is, unless and until the Government modify the existing policies which they are pursuing?

When I receive a copy of the letter to which the hon. Member has referred I will give it my full attention. I have stated the position as it is now, to my knowledge. On the first part of his supplementary question, I have explained to the Scottish Board for Industry and to the Scottish T.U.C. that I do not believe that these fears are justified. Of course, there will always be some movement between the regions. Naturally that will happen, hut the figures on which the South-East Study is based are those set out in the White Paper on Central Scotland and the movement from Scotland as a result of the success of the Government's policies.

Has the right hon. Gentle-man noticed that the South-East Study assumes that the rate of net immigration into the South-East per year over the next 20 years will be greater than it was over the last 10 years, and is not this an extremely bleak outlook for the other areas?

The right hon. Gentleman is overlooking the fact that of the 1 million who will be moving into the South-East area, a considerable number of them will have retired and will have come from other parts of the country. They will not, therefore, be requiring work. Further, a considerable proportion will have been immigrants from the Commonwealth and foreign countries—and the figures for migration from the rest of the country are based on the White Papers for Scotland and North-East England.

But does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that both factors are allowed for in the figures of immigration over the last 10 years, and that, despite that, the rate will increase, according to the White Paper, in the next 20 years?

I will check up on the White Paper, but I think the right hon. Gentleman is not taking those factors into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development by what amount, in thousands of sq. ft., the area of industrial building started in Scotland in 1963 exceeded that started in 1960.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development by what amount, in thousands of sq. ft., the area of industrial building approved in Scotland during 1963 exceeded that approved in 1960.

The area of industrial building approved for Scotland in 1963 was about 2·8 million sq. ft. less than the 1960 total. The area started was about 2·9 million sq. ft. less. The year 1960 was the year of the big developments in the iron and steel and vehicle building industries in Scotland.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that he intended to mislead the House in the Budget debate on 15th April last when he gave the impression that there was continued and growing buoyancy, and that the Government were doing more and more, and getting more and more success, when the actual fact is that, compared with 1960, there is a reduction of over 50 per cent. in the number of starts, and that that is not just in 1963, but that the same story can be told of 1962 and 1961?

What the hon. Member must take into account is that as a result of the Government's policies in 1960, there was the steel development in Scotland and also the movement of the motor industry there. It is obviously quite impossible for movements of industries on that scale to take place every year. That is why the figures for 1960 are so much greater than those for other years. But I am glad that the hon. Gentleman appreciates the success of Government policies in 1960 in getting those particular industries to Scotland.

Was not the right hon. Gentleman's speech in that debate an example of selectivity? Did he not seek then to convey an impression that industrial building in Scotland was going far ahead even of industrial building in London and the South-East? Will the Minister study his own figures, not over two or three years but over a number of years, and appreciate that industrial building in Scotland persistently lags behind, and very much lags behind, the size of the Scottish industrial population, so that our position is worsening all the time?

What I gave to the House in that debate were the figures of standard grants for building and equipment under the 1963 Act. I showed the way they were growing, and emphasised their importance. It is perfectly true that a number come from within Scotland itself, and that is to be encouraged. One wants to see development in Scotland, and that is what I was telling the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what is his estimate of the volume of industrial building currently under construction for which no industrial development certificates have been issued.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will estimate, in thousaids of sq. ft., the amount of industrial building not sanctioned by industrial development certificates which has been carried out in the London and South-East Region and in Scotland, respectively, during each of the past five years.

I regret that it is not possible to make reliable estimates of this kind.

Does not the Secretary of state agree that it is quite impossible to make any assessment of I.D.C. policy until we have those figures? Would he not agree that from what one can see far more industrial building is going on in London than in any other part of the country? Why cannot we have the figures when, without them, we cannot make a comparison?

The reason the hon. Member cannot have the figures is that firms can expand to the extent of 5,000 sq. ft. without an industrial development certificate. Therefore, no record is kept in the Board of Trade of the firms that do this. This has been a policy pursued by Governments on both sides since the war, because it is believed, first of all, that the burden on administration of keeping records of small expansions is unjustifiable and, secondly, that expansions of this size are not likely to move to other parts of the country.

The Minister must appreciate that it is desirable that his Department should keep these records, because we should have information about the large volume of development taking place south of the Border, to the neglect of Scotland. Will not he now consider keeping these records in the Department?

This is not to the neglect of Scotland, or any other part of the country, because if a firm is prepared to expand by only 5,000 sq. ft. it is most unlikely that it will be prepared to set up a separate organisation whether in Scotland, the North-East or anywhere else. As this is unlikely to happen, Governments on both sides have in the past pursued the policy that it is an unnecessary burden on administration to keep full records of each case.

Will the Minister give an assurance that no industrial buildings in excess of 5,000 sq. ft. will be allowed without an industrial development certificate?

Yes, Sir. I can give that assurance, and it is the responsibility of planning authorities to see that it is carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what were the Eastern Region and Scottish percentages, respectively, of the Great Britain total of industrial building approvals for each of the years from and including 1959.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what were the Eastern Region and Scottish percentages, respectively, of the Great Britain total of industrial building completions for each of the years from and including 1959.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what were the Eastern Region and Scottish percentages, respectively, of the Great Britain total of industrial building under construction at end of period in each of the years from and including 1959.

As the Answer involves a number of figures, I am circulating them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Has the right hon. Gentleman studied these figures? I have studied some of them, and find that they make a mockery of the claim to keep an equilibrium in industrial building approvals and I.D.Cs. The present trend is against Scotland and in favour of the North-East by about two to one. Will the Minister reverse that trend?

The hon. Member referred to the North-East, but this Question deals with the Eastern Region and I would not accept the hon. Member's views on the analysis of those figures. He must also take into account that the Eastern Region takes a great deal of the overspill from London, because of the growing population of London, and, naturally, there must be jobs with the overspill.

Mr. Millan.

Does the Minister recognise the size of the population in that region compared with that of Scotland?

The hon. Gentleman did not hear me. I called Mr. Millan.

The right hon. Gentleman talks of a tough industrial development certificate policy, but is it not strange that the figures published by his own Department of actual industrial building show that a population based on an area like Scotland, which has large numbers of development districts, still comes off very badly in comparison with the Eastern Region, which has not? If the Government's policy is working, can the right hon. Gentleman explain this discrepancy?

It is a point that I have just mentioned. The Eastern Region takes a great deal of overspill from London, and industry moves with the overspill. That is the reason.

Is it true or not that in the Eastern Region, which is not nearly such a big region as Scotland in terms of population, industrial building has been about twice that of Scotland despite the tight control the right hon. Gentleman's Department is supposed to exercise over industrial building?

I do not think that is the case. If the hon. Gentleman puts down a Question I will give him the exact figures in that respect.

Has my right hon. Friend noticed a report in the Press this morning that an electronics firm has established itself, or is about to establish itself, in Scotland? Did this demand an industrial development certificate? If so, is he aware that it is welcome, and that his efforts to bring an electronics firm to the North-East will also be welcome?

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development by what amount, in thousands of square feet, the area of industrial building completed in Scotland in 1963 exceeded the amount completed in 1959.

By 38,000 sq. ft.

Are we to be told that 1959 is also a specially selected year? Is not this a very disappointing figure?

No, Sir. In 1963 it was 4,053,000 sq. ft. and in 1959 it was 4,015,000 sq. ft., so 1963 exceeded 1959 by 38,000 sq. ft.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development by what amount, in thousands of square feet the area of industrial development under construction in Scotland at the end of 1963 exceeded the amount under construction at the end of 1961.

The area under construction at the end of 1963 was about 2·4 million sq. ft. below the end-1961 total.

Is not this a further indication that the Secretary of State has misled the House of Commons by some of his recent speeches about the great improvement that was taking place in the industrial scene in Scotland? Is it not better, as the Prime Minister advised a little while ago, not to look at the short-term figures but at the trend over a period? If the right hon. Gentleman does that, is it not quite clear that the position in Scotland is worsening, not improving?

I do not accept in any way that I was misleading the House. The hon. Member is always trying to reduce the impact of what is being done in Scotland. He does not seem to realise that the figures for starts in 1960 for the steel and motor industries of course continued into 1961 as being under construction and that that is the reason for the contrast between those figures and the figure which I have just given the hon. Member.

Very poor.

asked the Secretary of Stale for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he will seek power to strengthen the law with regard to mail order firms in such a way as to ensure that customers receive the goods for which they have paid.

If my right hon. Friend had evidence that the law concerning the non-delivery of goods was inadequate he would consider amending legislation to strengthen it.

I appreciate my hon. Friend's remarks on this point, and I thank him for agreeing to consider any possible amendment of the law. He is probably aware of the correspondence that has passed between my right hon. Friend and myself. A firm known as Carberrys—which, until recently, advertised in motor-cycle magazines—has still not refunded money sent to it for certain articles by one of my constituents eight months ago, and the goods have never been delivered. Is my hon. Friend aware that this is by no means an isolated case; and that there is general need to strengthen the law in order to persuade certain mail order firms to honour their obligations? To say that there is access to the civil courts in such matters is not encouraging to people who are treated in this way. Will my hon. Friend look into the matter?

The Sale of Goods Act, 1893, provides certain remedies for the buyer with regard to the non-delivery of goods and we are advised that this applies to contracts with mail order firms. We have not had complaints other than the complaint made by my hon. Friend about matters of this sort, regarding which my right hon. Friend is writing to him and is obliged to him for having mentioned the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry Trade and Regional Development, what progress he has made in finding an occupant for the vacant Salt Saltaire factory at Carlisle Road, Airdrie; and if he will make a statement.

We have had no recent inquiries about this privately-owned factory.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not good enough? Is he aware that figures published in the OFFICIAL REPORT yesterday indicated that more than 5 per cent. of the insurable population are unemployed in this part of Lanarkshire? In view of the right hon. Gentleman's failure to find a tenant for this factory, is it not about time that he took it over himself and let it at concessionary rentals, simply because it will be more sensible to put the unemployed to work in a comparatively new factory before it deteriorates?

I have already explained to the House and the hon. Member that it is not suitable for us to take over as an advanced factory. On the other hand, if there is a specific request for it I will consider it. This factory is brought to the notice of all industrialists in exactly the same way as are our own factories, because of the position which the hon. Member has described, but I cannot force people to make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what duty is charged on the import of computers either partly or completely assembled abroad; and what quotas or other restrictions are imposed upon such imports.

The duties are: full rate, 14 per cent.; E.F.T.A., 7 per cent., and Commonwealth Preference rate, nil. There are no quota or other import controls except on imports from the Eastern Area.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the difficulties facing the computer industry in this country? Is he aware that I.C.T. factories in Belfast are contracting and that there is a fear of greater redundancy? In these circumstances will he look at the picture again, with a view in particular to imposing the same type of quota and import duties on the import of American computers as the Americans do on the import of British computers?

No, Sir, I cannot give my hon. Friend that assurance. We are all aware of the problems to which he refers, but they are more concerned with rationalisation than they are with imports.