Councillor A. H. Bailey moved: "That the appropriate Government Departments and the local M.P. be reminded of the conference held at Rushden, on June 11th, 1945, as to post-war industrial development in this district, and urged again to consider the claims of Rushden for consideration in connection with any plans for the dispersal of industry or Government Departments, with particular reference to the recently-announced long-term plans for the transfer of Government Departments to the provinces."

Referring to the conference of 1945, Mr. Bailey said that although the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Town and Country Planning and the Ministry of Labour took part in it, no progress had been made.

One Industry

Rushden was still dependent for its livelihood on one industry. The boot and shoe industry, of which they were proud, suffered from an acute shortage of labour, and this fact must always be kept in mind; but it was high time that a town of 16,000 gave thought to its planning, and he thought the introduction of an industry requiring predominantly male labour would tend to help the boot industry.

According to Press reports, government Departments were coming to Corby and Wellingborough, and it was quite logical to assume that certain industries would be dispersed from London.

Rushden was the only town in Northants that relied upon a single industry, but no town in the county was better situated for development on a large scale.

Seconded by Councillor J. P. Richardson, the resolution was carried unanimously.