asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications have now been received for financial assistance through the Development Areas Treasury Advisory Committee, under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1958; and how many have been approved.

Sixty-seven firm and eligible applications have been received under the Act, of which so far 16 have been approved.

Do not these meagre results show that we shall never solve this problem until the Government follow an expansionist policy in the country as a whole?

On the contrary, considering that the Act has been in operation for only a few months, we are getting rather good results.

In order that we may judge just how enthusiastically this new Act is being administered, could the hon. Gentleman tell us what is the value of the Government grants in regard to these 16 approvals?

No, Sir; not without notice.