asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the rebuilding of East Croydon Station will be permitted to proceed in the light of the resrtictions announced on office building in south-east England.

As explained in the Government statement of 4th November, no office development permits will be granted in the Greater London Council area except in very special circumstances. I cannot yet say whether any particular project, requiring a permit, will be allowed to proceed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman regard this as a very special circumstance? Does he realise that up to a few weeks ago thousands of my constituents daily using one of the busiest stations in the country believed that they would soon have a new station? While the uncertainty continues they feel sure that this will not be so. Will he look at this matter again favourably?

If and when we get a detailed application in this case we shall, of course, consider it very carefully.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the statement made by the chairman of the Location of Offices Bureau is Government policy in relation to the building of offices in the greater London area?

I should have to look into the content of that statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the strength of local feeling that this very important development should go forward as soon as possible?

Certainly I shall not ignore that.