§ 51. Mr. McAllisterasked the Prime Minister, if the Government still accept the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Distribution of the Industrial Population with regard to the decentralisation of population and industry from congested and overgrown towns and with regard to the guidance of industrial location; what steps are being taken to give effect to these recommendations; and which Minister is responsible for the co-ordination of the different aspects involved.
§ The Prime MinisterThe policy of the Government on the distribution of industry continues to be that stated in the third chapter of the White Paper on Employment Policy (Cmd. 6527). The courses of action there outlined are being vigorously pursued by the many Departments concerned. The President of the 959 Board of Trade is responsible to Parliament for all general aspects of the policy
§ Mr. McAllisterWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him if he could give some assurance that the Government will accept a decentralisation policy as outlined in the Report, and which the President of the Board of Trade in the Coalition Government assured the House had been accepted in principle?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I have said, we accepted the same policy laid down in the White Paper. I think my hon. Friend will find that in the White Paper.